Given that fair trade is closely intertwined with promoting competition, establishing consumer sovereignty, ensuring a competitive landscape for small and medium-sized enterprises, and curbing economic power concentration, the application and enforcement of related laws have become increasingly stringent. As a result, fair trade has become an indispensable field for companies to consider when formulating their management strategies for the success of their economic activities. Drawing on our extensive experience in fair trade matters, including competition policy, market structure improvement policy, consumer policy, cartel investigation, corporate transaction policy, subcontracting, and franchise business, our Practice conducts in-depth analysis and review of relevant laws, domestic and foreign cases, and provides our clients with optimal solutions based on our expertise and experience. We are well-equipped to handle investigations, judicial cases, and appeals related to fair trade, as well as to establish strategies for administrative, civil, and criminal proceedings, leveraging our proficiency in responding to these matters.

- Advice and representation in merger review applications

- Legal advice on terms and conditions regulation, fair trade laws and regulations, etc.

- Advice on whether and how to respond to unfair joint activities in the case of joint activities and business alliances between companies.

- Participation in KFTC investigations and representation in adjudication proceedings

- Appeals against KFTC penalties, corrective measures, etc., and civil litigation related to violations of the Fair Trade Act.

- Advising on subcontracting transactions, terms and conditions regulation, display advertisements, e-commerce, installment transactions, door-to-door sales, and mail-order franchise businesses.

- Advising on international disputes related to the Fair Trade Act

- Defense of criminal proceedings related to the Fair Trade Act  

- Represented leading Korean companies (Samsung Fire, Samsung Life, Dong-A Pharmaceutical, Daewoong Pharmaceutical, Hyundai Securities, Eskay Telecom, Shinsegae Construction, Halla, Samhwan Corporation, Taeyoung Construction, Samsung C&T, Chosun Ilbo) on behalf of the Korea Fair Trade Commission, including Kim & Chang, Lee & Ko, Bae, Kim & Lee, Shin & Kim, Yulchon and other large law firms in more than 150 successful cases involving revocation of corrective orders and orders to pay penalties, including many cases that were remanded to the Supreme Court.

- Represented 19 construction companies in a damages claim against Korea Gas Corporation in connection with bid-rigging for construction projects (2016 Case No. 519022/sued for KRW 108 billion)

- Represented the KFTC in many administrative proceedings, including a bid-rigging case for a paper company, a bid-rigging case for the purchase of ash treatment facilities, a bid-rigging case for PHC files, and a bid-rigging case for the construction of a traffic management system.

- Advised major conglomerates and small and medium-sized enterprises on fair trade matters, including unfair support behavior and franchise business laws. - Litigation to cancel the imposition of penalties for bid-rigging by a construction company

- Advised KB Savings Bank on the Fair Trade Act (Unfair Trade Practices) in connection with One KB Group package products

Professionals