Photo = Coupang

 

[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Sangjin] The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an investigation into Coupang for allegedly engaging in tying practices related to its Wow Membership service.

On the 10th, the FTC sent investigators to Coupang's headquarters in Songpa-gu, Seoul, to collect documents related to the membership program. The inquiry focuses on whether Coupang's recent increase in Wow Membership fees and the inclusion of free services like Coupang Play and Coupang Eats constitute illegal tying practices under antitrust laws.

The FTC is examining whether Coupang’s approach—offering these additional services at no extra cost to new members following a price hike—violates fair trade regulations that prohibit tying practices. Coupang had increased its membership fee from 2,900 KRW in 2019 to 7,890 KRW as of April this year, with the additional services included in the membership.

 

 

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