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 constitutes 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 the data breach incident last year."

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 has not issued a specific statement regarding the U.S. report on Coupang, Kim explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is leading the response, and the KFTC is collaborating with it to share information related to the investigation and review of Coupang.

Kim also apologized for a social media post he made regarding 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 the duty of political neutrality for public officials.

In response to Shin's comments, Kim expressed sincere regret for causing concern among the public, clarifying that his remarks were based on a friend's post and that he did not anticipate the controversy it would generate.

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