South Korea’s competition authority has imposed a fine on e-commerce company Coupang for practices related to supplier relations and payment delays.
The regulator found that the company required certain vendors to absorb additional costs and reduce prices in order to meet internal profitability targets. Authorities also cited instances where suppliers were asked to cover marketing and service-related expenses tied to promotional programs.
In addition, the investigation identified delays in payments across a large number of transactions over several years. Officials stated that such practices violated retail business regulations designed to ensure fair dealings between major platforms and their partners.
The decision comes as the company faces increasing scrutiny and competitive pressures in its domestic market. The ruling highlights ongoing regulatory attention toward marketplace dynamics and the balance of power between dominant platforms and smaller suppliers.
The enforcement action underscores broader efforts to strengthen oversight in the rapidly evolving e-commerce sector.
