Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
OpenAI Moves to Acquire Neptune as It Expands AI Training Capabilities 
USPS Expands Electric Vehicle Fleet as Nationwide Transition Accelerates 
Microchip Technology Boosts Q3 Outlook on Strong Bookings Momentum 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
UPS MD-11 Crash Prompts Families to Prepare Wrongful Death Lawsuit 
Tesla Faces 19% Drop in UK Registrations as Competition Intensifies 
Tesla Expands Affordable Model 3 Lineup in Europe to Boost EV Demand 
GM Issues Recall for 2026 Chevrolet Silverado Trucks Over Missing Owner Manuals 
EU Prepares Antitrust Probe Into Meta’s AI Integration on WhatsApp 
IKEA Expands U.S. Manufacturing Amid Rising Tariffs and Supply Chain Strategy Shift 
Momenta Quietly Moves Toward Hong Kong IPO Amid Rising China-U.S. Tensions 
YouTube Agrees to Follow Australia’s New Under-16 Social Media Ban 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Coupang, the South Korean e-commerce company, was slapped with a heavy fine by the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC). It was reported that it was ordered to pay ₩3.29 billion or around $2.81 million over its alleged unfair business practices.
It was added that the country’s anti-trust regulator also accused Coupang of interfering in the business of vendors. According to The Korea Times, The KFTC stated it discovered that the Seoul-based company forced hundreds of sellers to follow its illegal sales and marketing regulations from early 2017 to September 2020.
It was said that such policies were put in place so it can maintain its competitive lead over its rivals and other online retailers. The battle for market dominance is raging and it was suggested the unlawful rules helped Coupang gain the upper hand in the market.
Based on the report, the companies that were affected by the unfair policies are Yuhan Kimberly, Namyang Dairy Products, LG Household & Health Care, Maeil Dairies, and Cuchen. KFTC launched the investigation on Coupang in 2019 after LG Group’s LG Household & Health Care lodged a complaint against the e-commerce platform.
It was explained by the antitrust regulator that Coupang’s mistake was urging its suppliers to increase the sale prices of their goods that are sold in the company’s rival online malls. In this way, Coupang will be able to offer the products at cheaper rates and of course, customers will flock to the site.
The e-commerce giant was also said to have requested its suppliers for wholesale rebates without stating any terms related to rebate programs. From January 2017 to June 2019, it was said that Coupang collected ₩10.4 billion from about 330 suppliers.
"The case is noteworthy as it illustrates that an online retailer is now in a predominant position over large companies as well as manufacturers of popular goods," Cho Hong Sun, a KTFC official, said at a press briefing.
Meanwhile, The Korea Herald reported that Coupang violated a few of the Fair Trade Act and the Act on Fair Transactions in Large Retail Business so it was fined. The agency also ordered the company to take corrective measures. In response to the allegations, Coupang reportedly expressed regret over the FTC’s decision and denied its predominant stance over the major companies during the investigation.
