KFTC fines 'Big Three' sugar cartel, seeks stronger enforcement tools
By Jenny Lee ( February 12, 2026, 07:42 GMT | Insight) -- Major sugar producers in South Korea have been handed one of the country’s biggest-ever cartel penalties after the competition watchdog concluded the industry’s “Big Three” players coordinated business-to-business price moves for years in a market protected by high entry barriers. The Korea Fair Trade Commission on Thursday said it would fine CJ CheilJedang, Samyang Corporation and TS Corporation a combined 408.3 billion won ($282.6 million) and issue corrective orders after finding they agreed on the timing and scale of sugar price hikes and cuts applied to large food and beverage manufacturers for more than four years.Major sugar producers in South Korea have been handed one of the country’s biggest-ever cartel penalties after the competition watchdog concluded the industry’s “Big Three” players coordinated business-to-business price moves for years in a market protected by high entry barriers....
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