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South Korea Weighs Sweeping Antitrust Overhaul

By  |  August 4, 2026
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South Korea’s competition regulator is preparing a broad overhaul of the country’s antitrust framework that could significantly expand its authority to combat cartel activity, according to reporting by KED Global.

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    KED Global reported that the proposed reforms would allow the Korea Fair Trade Commission to require companies involved in illegal cartels to divest equity stakes, impose financial penalties directly on controlling shareholders and decentralize enforcement powers that have traditionally been exercised exclusively by the regulator.

    If adopted, the measures would represent one of the country’s most significant changes to competition policy in years, strengthening the government’s ability to pursue anti-competitive conduct and hold corporate decision-makers more directly accountable.

    One proposal would authorize regulators to require companies found to have participated in cartel activity to sell ownership interests in certain businesses or affiliates. Such structural remedies are generally considered more stringent than monetary penalties because they can permanently alter a company’s ownership or operations.

    The report also said authorities are considering expanding liability beyond corporations by allowing financial penalties to be imposed directly on controlling shareholders. The change would mark a shift from traditional enforcement, in which companies typically bear the primary responsibility for antitrust violations.

    Read more: South Korea FTC Chief Signals Tougher Penalties for Repeat Cartels

    KED Global further reported that the reforms would decentralize key enforcement functions currently concentrated within the Korea Fair Trade Commission, potentially allowing regional offices or other designated authorities to play a greater role in investigating and enforcing competition laws.

    The proposed changes come as competition regulators worldwide have intensified efforts to deter anti-competitive practices, including price-fixing, bid-rigging and other forms of cartel conduct. South Korea’s competition watchdog has historically maintained an active enforcement agenda, particularly involving large conglomerates known as chaebols.

    It was not immediately clear when the proposed measures would be formally introduced or whether additional legislative approval would be required before they could take effect.

    The Korea Fair Trade Commission has not publicly announced the full details of the reported proposals. Additional information regarding the scope, implementation timeline and potential impact of the reforms was not immediately available.

    Source: KED Global