 |
Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] SEOUL, Aug. 24 — The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) had the most frequent external contacts in the first half of this year with top law firm Kim & Chang and with Hanjin Group among business conglomerates, according to parliamentary data.
Rep. Yangsoo Lee of the ruling People Power Party disclosed KFTC records showing 185 contacts with Kim & Chang and 22 with Hanjin during the January–June period. Among law firms, Kim & Chang was followed by Bae, Kim & Lee (84 contacts), BKL; Yulchon (75), Shin & Kim (70), and HwaWoo (64).
On the corporate side, KFTC engaged most frequently with Hanjin, followed by Coupang (18), Samsung (17), Lotte (14), and CJ (11).
The overall number of reported external contacts has been trending downward in recent years, reaching 680 in H1 2025, the lowest in five years. The figures peaked at 1,045 in 2021, before declining to 796 in 2022, 851 in 2023, and 836 in 2024.
More than 80% of contacts this year were case-related, including 392 for data submission or opinion hearings and others involving on-site investigations or procedural inquiries. The remaining 113 contacts were for non-case activities such as legal interpretations and lectures.
Under KFTC rules, officials must report within five days any contact with external parties that could influence case outcomes. Reportable contacts include individuals working for designated conglomerates, lawyers or accountants at authorized law firms with prior KFTC case experience, and former KFTC officials employed by such organizations. Both in-person and remote communications such as phone calls, emails, or text messages are covered, with limited exceptions (e.g., ceremonial events or formal investigations).
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
