( August 4, 2026, 09:16 GMT | Official Statement) -- MLex Summary: South Korea’s antitrust regulator will pursue reforms aimed at dismantling entrenched monopoly structures and building the foundations for “fair growth” in the second half of 2026, while intensifying scrutiny of cartels, digital platforms and large business groups. The Korea Fair Trade Commission said Tuesday it will examine suspected collusion in chemicals, paint and petroleum products, seek registration cancellations or business suspensions for repeat cartelists, restrict leniency benefits and introduce structural remedies such as share divestitures or business transfers in exceptional monopoly-abuse and cartel cases. It will also scrutinize most-favored-nation clauses and tying by delivery apps and app stores and consumer deception by online retailers, while conducting a market study of AI services. Further plans include clarifying data-related monopoly abuses, supporting platform legislation, surveying open marketplaces, delivery and accommodation platforms and reviewing AI-sector “acqui-hire” arrangements that fall outside conventional merger structures.Statement and related document are attached (in Korean)....
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