KFTC Chair Rebuts U.S. Claims on Coupang Investigation

Kim Joo-byeong, chair of the Fair Trade Commission (KFTC), responded to U.S. claims that the South Korean government's investigation into Coupang represents discriminatory action against American companies. He emphasized that the KFTC applies the same standards to all platform operators, including Baemin and Naver, and will continue to do so.

During the first full meeting of the 22nd National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee on July 28, Kim stated, "Many of the cases the KFTC is handling regarding Coupang have been under investigation long before last year's data breach incident."

He further asserted, "The KFTC enforces the law rigorously and without discrimination, regardless of nationality, and we will continue to do so." In response to a question from Democratic Party lawmaker Min Byung-deok about why the KFTC had not issued a statement regarding the U.S. report on Coupang, Kim explained, "We are responding through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The KFTC is continuously collaborating with the Ministry to share information regarding the investigation and review of Coupang."

Kim also apologized for a social media post he made following the results of the recent local elections. In the post, he expressed disappointment that the citizens' exercise of rights seemed to align with monetary interests, questioning whether it reflected blind faith or self-deception. Lawmaker Shin Dong-wook from the People Power Party pointed out that this could be seen as a violation of a public official's duty to remain neutral during elections.

In response, Kim acknowledged the concern, stating, "I sincerely regret causing worry to the public. It was a comment made in response to a friend's post, and I did not anticipate it would escalate into a controversy."

Regarding the increasing trend of KFTC retirees joining law firms, Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Hyun-hee noted this development, to which Kim replied, "This is due to the rise in fair trade cases and the demands from companies." When asked if he had plans to join a law firm after retirement, he stated, "I have no such plans."