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| ( Photo courtesy of the Korea Fair Trade Commission |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] SEOUL, October 30, 2025 — The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has sent formal review reports—equivalent to an indictment in criminal proceedings—to several domestic meat processing companies accused of colluding to fix pork product supply prices.
According to industry sources, the KFTC sent the reports earlier this month to six major pork processing firms, outlining charges of violating the Fair Trade Act. The commission suspects that the companies colluded to set wholesale prices when supplying pork-based processed foods—such as ham and sausage—to large retail chains.
The KFTC had previously conducted on-site inspections in November 2023, collecting internal documents and communications to substantiate the allegations.
Following the submission of the companies’ rebuttal statements, the KFTC plans to convene a plenary session or subcommittee to determine the final level of sanctions, which may include fines or corrective orders.
A KFTC official stated, “The matter is still under review, and we cannot disclose further details at this stage.”
The move comes as the commission accelerates efforts to address price-fixing practices and cost-of-living concerns. On October 31, the KFTC is also expected to issue similar review reports to three major sugar producers—CJ CheilJedang, Samyang Corporation, and Korea Sugar Co.— over collusion allegations involving trillions of won. Prosecutors are conducting a parallel criminal investigation into the same case.
Meanwhile, the KFTC this month conducted on-site inspections of seven flour milling companies—including Daehan Flour Mills, CJ CheilJedang, Samyang, Sajo DongA One, Daesun Flour Mills, Samhwa Mills, and Hantop—on separate suspicions of wheat flour price-fixing.
At a National Assembly audit on October 28, KFTC Chairperson Joo Byung-ki said, “We will strengthen our ongoing market monitoring and swiftly handle all ongoing cases concerning key consumer goods such as sugar and flour.”
알파경제 Kim Jisun (stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
