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Google headquarters logo. (Photo: Yonhap News) |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] SEOUL, South Korea – July 15, 2025 – Google will launch YouTube Premium Lite in South Korea by the end of this year, offering users an ad-free video streaming experience without bundling music services. The move comes as the company seeks to resolve allegations of antitrust violations related to its previous subscription bundling practices.
According to the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) on Monday, Google has submitted a consent decree proposal in response to an ongoing investigation into its alleged unfair business practices. The consent decree allows companies under scrutiny to voluntarily present corrective measures to avoid formal sanctions.
The KFTC stated that it will collect feedback from relevant government agencies and stakeholders until August 14 before making a final decision. If approved, Google will be required to launch the new service within 90 days. Officials suggested the launch could occur as early as November.
“YouTube Premium Lite” provides ad-free viewing without the inclusion of YouTube Music, differentiating it from the existing YouTube Premium package. The service is expected to be offered at a lower price point than in other major markets.
“The company is currently preparing the necessary technical systems to launch the service,” said Kim Moon-sik, Director General of Market Surveillance at the KFTC. “Assuming no significant issues arise during the review process, Korean users could access the service before the end of the year.”
The KFTC's intervention follows concerns that Google’s prior bundling of YouTube Premium with YouTube Music may have limited consumer choice and distorted fair competition in the local music streaming market.
Industry observers interpret Google's move as a strategic retreat in the face of regulatory scrutiny.
알파경제 Kim Jisun (stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
