On November 19, 2019, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (the “KFTC”) announced it was creating a task force that would investigate unfair trade practices in the information, communication and technology industry- ie ICT Industry. . Although the KFTC had established a task force team for the ICT industry in 2016, the team had been inactive since the decision against Qualcomm. The establishment of the new team is believed to reflect the determination of the KFTC’s new head- Chairwoman Joh. Since her appointment in September of 2019, Joh has continuously expressed interest in creating a fair trade environment in ICT areas.
Led by the Secretary-General of the KFTC, Mr. Chae Kyu-ha, the 15-member task force will take charge of investigations involving unfair trade practices and abuse of dominance in the ICT areas. The Economic Analysis Division and the International Cooperation Division will also closely cooperate with the new task force to react to the rapidly changing competition environment of the ICT industry.
The KFTC is expected to continue its push against unfair trade practices and abuse of dominance in the ICT areas. The task force's investigations may lead to changes in the KFTC’s enforcement guidelines.
For more information, please contact Lee & Ko's Antitrust Practice Group.
