SEOUL — South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) is preparing to resume its stalled investigation into U.S.-listed e-commerce giant Coupang after a court rejected the company’s request to suspend an on-site inspection.
FTC Chairman Ju Biung-ghi said Tuesday that the agency would continue its efforts to “restore justice,” signaling that the regulatory dispute is entering a new phase following the court decision.
The investigation centers on allegations that Coupang shifted the cost of discounts onto its suppliers. Coupang had declined to cooperate with the FTC’s on-site inspection and sought court intervention, arguing that the regulator had not provided advance notice required under administrative investigation rules.
A court initially granted a temporary suspension of the inspection, but later rejected Coupang’s request to halt the investigation. The ruling now clears the way for the FTC to continue examining the company’s dealings with its vendors.
Ju said Coupang could face regulatory action if the investigation determines that the company imposed unfavorable conditions on its suppliers.
He also framed the court ruling in terms of protecting small merchants and economically vulnerable parties that do business with large platforms, while stressing that the FTC intends to continue pursuing the investigation.
The dispute has broader implications for South Korea’s approach to regulating major digital platforms. Earlier this month, Ju said the FTC would examine ways to prevent companies from effectively delaying investigations through court injunctions after similar interruptions affected probes involving Coupang and Hanwha Group.
The Coupang case has also attracted attention because of the company’s U.S. listing and the wider economic relationship between Seoul and Washington. Korea Times previously reported that the regulatory confrontation was adding sensitivity to ongoing discussions surrounding South Korea’s planned $350 billion investment framework with the United States.
For Coupang, the immediate issue is now the FTC investigation itself. For South Korea’s competition watchdog, the case could also test how effectively regulators can conduct investigations when companies challenge inspection procedures in court.
As the probe resumes, attention will turn to what the FTC uncovers, whether further regulatory measures are pursued, and how Coupang responds to the agency’s next steps.
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