Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
South Korean lawmakers criticize Coupang over refusal of competition watchdog inspection
Lawmakers from both major parties in South Korea criticized online retailer Coupang at a National Assembly hearing on October 12.
They said the company had refused an on-site inspection by the Fair Trade Commission, the country’s competition watchdog.
The inspection concerns suspected violations of the Large-Scale Retail Business Act.
Coupang resisted an inspection in August and filed a lawsuit, as well as a request to pause the inspection.
The Seoul High Court rejected the request to pause it last month, saying a pause could harm the public interest.
Lawmakers said the refusal could undermine enforcement and discussed whether legislation should make inspection procedures clearer.
The lawsuit is still mentioned as having been filed, but the story gives no decision on it or a date for the inspection to resume.
South Korean lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties criticized Coupang on October 12 for refusing an on-site inspection by the Fair Trade Commission.
The inspection concerned allegations of violations of the Large-Scale Retail Business Act.
Lawmakers called for a strong response, including possible legislative measures to support the commission’s inspection powers.
Coupang had filed a lawsuit and sought to suspend the inspection after refusing it in August.
The Seoul High Court rejected the suspension request last month, saying the public interest in keeping the inspection decision in effect outweighed the potential harm to Coupang.
- Who
- South Korean lawmakers criticized Coupang; the Fair Trade Commission sought to inspect the company.
- What
- Coupang refused an on-site inspection, prompting lawmakers to criticize it and discuss possible responses.
- When
- The criticism came on October 12, 2026. Coupang refused the inspection in August.
- Where
- At a National Assembly audit in South Korea.
- Why
- The inspection concerned alleged violations of the Large-Scale Retail Business Act, and lawmakers said refusing it challenged the commission’s law-enforcement authority.
South Korean lawmakers
Coupang
Inspection authority
South Korean lawmakers
Lawmakers said Coupang’s refusal showed disregard for the commission’s law enforcement and called for a strong response.
Coupang
Coupang refused the inspection and filed a lawsuit and a request to suspend it.
Basis for challenging the inspection
South Korean lawmakers
Lawmakers said legislation could be reviewed to prevent arguments such as requiring the commission to prove a risk of evidence destruction.
Coupang
Coupang sought to suspend the inspection; the article does not detail its full grounds for doing so.
I question whether we should just let Coupang behave this way toward the public authority of the Republic of Korea.
Since the Large-Scale Retail Business Act came into effect, this is the first time an on-site inspection by the Fair Trade Commission has been thwarted by a company refusing it.
If necessary, we should strengthen the legislative framework so that procedural legitimacy can be secured.
Coupang refused the Fair Trade Commission’s on-site inspection and filed a lawsuit and a request to suspend it.
The Seoul High Court rejected Coupang’s request to suspend the inspection.
Lawmakers from both major parties criticized Coupang during a National Assembly audit.
- Inspection target
- Coupang
- Inspection agency
- Fair Trade Commission
- Law under investigation
- Large-Scale Retail Business Act
- Refusal and legal action
- August 2026
- Court ruling
- Seoul High Court rejected Coupang’s suspension request
- Parliamentary criticism
- October 12, 2026
Sources
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