[Apha Biz=(Chicago) Reporter Paul Lee] The Fair Trade Commission has launched an investigation into allegations of collusion in delivery prices by the liquor wholesale industry.

According to the industry on the 10th, the Fair Trade Commission conducted an on-site investigation of liquor wholesalers' associations in the Seoul metropolitan area early last month on charges of price fixing. The Fair Trade Commission is checking whether there was collusion in the wholesale and distribution process of soju and beer.

The survey seems to have something to do with the beer maker's move to raise prices. OB Beer plans to raise the factory price of major beer products by 6.9% on average from the 11th, and other companies are likely to raise prices one after another.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance earlier put the brakes on the price hike by conducting a massive survey of the soju industry, which showed signs of a price hike in February.

 

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