KRSouth Korea's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has intensified its investigation into Coupang by sending approximately 30 investigators to the e-commerce giant's Seoul headquarters. This follows a previous inspection attempt that was blocked due to procedural disputes over insufficient advance notice. The FTC is now using the Fair Trade Act, which permits unannounced inspections, to avoid legal challenges raised by Coupang. Investigators are looking into potential violations such as abuse of dominance and interference with other businesses. Coupang had previously challenged the initial inspection in court, arguing that the FTC did not follow proper procedures. The renewed probe highlights growing tensions between the regulator and Coupang, with some observers suggesting the move could be seen as punitive.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation between the FTC and Coupang in a balanced manner, detailing both the regulatory actions and Coupang's legal responses without overtly favoring either side. It includes perspectives from industry observers but does not present biased language or one-sided sourcing.
