- Discussions on major competition policies, legal frameworks, and case handling in the digital sector with Japanese competition authorities -
Han Ki-jeong, Chair of the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC), attended the 26th Korea-Japan Competition Policy Meeting held in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, November 21. During the meeting, Chair Han met with Kazuyuki Furuya, Chair of Japan’s Fair Trade Commission (JFTC), to share updates on competition policies and law enforcement trends in both countries and to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
* Kazuyuki Furuya has served as JFTC Chair since September 2020, following key roles such as Director-General of Japan’s National Tax Agency and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary for the Cabinet Office.
The Korea-Japan Competition Policy Meeting, a high-level dialogue between the two countries’ competition authorities, has been held annually since 1990, alternating between Korea and Japan. Last year’s meeting was hosted by the KFTC in Seoul alongside the 12th Seoul International Competition Forum. This year, the JFTC hosted the meeting at its headquarters in Tokyo.
Opening Remarks
Chair Han noted that "global competition authorities are facing numerous challenges due to the rapid changes in the technological and economic environment." He emphasized the importance of actively addressing issues in areas such as digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and public welfare, highlighting the critical need for cooperation between Korea and Japan.
Chair Furuya echoed these sentiments, stating, "The globalization and digitalization of economies and societies have increased the need for stronger competition policies and greater collaboration between competition authorities." He expressed his hopes for further strengthening Korea-Japan cooperation as key partners in the East Asian region.
Discussions and Key Topics
Session 1: Recent Trends in Competition Policies
- Korea’s Presentation
The KFTC shared its major policy initiatives aimed at "public welfare stability" and "supporting innovation." Notable topics included:- A proposed amendment to the Large-Scale Distribution Act, which includes online intermediary platforms under its regulatory scope to ensure fairness in transactions between platforms and vendors.
- Recent cases involving penalties for collusion in essential sectors such as housing, food, and clothing.
- Japan’s Presentation
The JFTC discussed notable competition law cases in the digital sector and shared updates on policies related to sustainability. Highlights included:- Updates to the "Green Guidelines," which clarify competition law standards for corporate activities related to achieving a sustainable society.
- A survey on PET bottle recycling transactions.
- Corporate compliance programs aimed at encouraging voluntary adherence to competition laws.
Session 2: Legal Frameworks and Case Handling in the Digital Sector
- Korea’s Presentation
The KFTC explained recent amendments to the Fair Trade Act, as well as enforcement cases involving major platforms like Google, Coupang, and Kakao Mobility. These initiatives focus on addressing monopolistic practices in platform markets quickly and effectively. - Japan’s Presentation
The JFTC introduced the Smartphone Software Competition Promotion Act, set to take effect in June 2024 following its passage in the Japanese Diet. This legislation aims to foster competition and innovation in markets related to essential smartphone software (e.g., operating systems, app stores, and search engines) by imposing obligations and prohibitions on software providers.
Strengthening Bilateral Collaboration
Through this meeting, the competition authorities of Korea and Japan deepened their mutual understanding of each other's competition policies and discussed strategies to address rapidly changing market environments effectively. This dialogue is expected to help both countries’ competition authorities, which operate under similar legal frameworks, explore new areas of cooperation and maintain close coordination in the future.