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Coupang sanctioned in South Korea for squeezing suppliers, delaying payments

( February 26, 2026, 03:59 GMT | Official Statement) -- MLex Summary: Coupang was fined roughly 2.2 billion won ($1.5 million) by South Korea's competition regulator for pushing margin pressure and cash-flow risks onto suppliers in its direct-purchase business, in violation of the country’s large-scale retail law. The Korea Fair Trade Commission said on Thursday the company sought to hit internal profit targets by pressing vendors to cut supply prices or shoulder fees such as advertising and program charges, sometimes while signaling order reductions or suspensions. It also found that Coupang repeatedly paid suppliers late, failed to pay statutory late interest and did not refund costs for unsent products under its product-trial review program when selected consumers did not participate. The regulator said it imposed corrective orders, including repayment of unpaid amounts and compliance measures.Statement is attached (in Korean)....

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