AMCHAM, FTC chair discuss Korea’s fair trade policy direction

Fair Trade Commission Chairperson Ju Biung-ghi, center, and Chairman and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) James Kim, fourth from left, pose during a meeting between the two organizations in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of AMCHAM

The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) met with Ju Biung-ghi, the newly appointed chairperson of Korea’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC), in Seoul Thursday to exchange views on the new administration’s fair trade policy direction and key issues faced by global companies operating in the Korean market.

As part of Ju’s ongoing series of industry outreach efforts following his appointment, the meeting served as a platform to discuss the administration’s fair trade policy priorities and to hear directly from foreign companies about their on-the-ground challenges in Korea.

In his remarks, AMCHAM Chairman and CEO James Kim emphasized the importance of open communication between the government and the business community, noting that a transparent and predictable regulatory environment is essential to enhancing Korea’s competitiveness and attractiveness as an investment destination.

“Building on the successful momentum from the APEC CEO Summit, AMCHAM looks forward to working closely with the Korean government, especially the FTC, to drive innovation, transparency and stronger public-private partnerships,” he said. “By expanding pro-innovation regulatory frameworks and promoting open, evidence-based dialogue, we can foster a more predictable and globally competitive business environment in Korea.”

Ju reaffirmed the FTC’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation with competition authorities worldwide, while recognizing that differences in systems and enforcement approaches can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. He emphasized that continuous dialogue is key to building trust and enhancing the credibility and effectiveness of fair trade policies.

During the closed-door roundtable session, participants shared their perspectives on a wide range of topics, including the FTC’s approach to platform regulation, improvements to anti-competitive conduct regulations, policy directions in response to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and the importance of strengthening communication with multinational companies.

Kim expressed his appreciation to Ju for his leadership in promoting fair and free competition, protecting consumers and ensuring balanced economic development. He added that AMCHAM looks forward to continued collaboration with the FTC to advance Korea’s fair trade objectives and further strengthen the country’s position as a leading global investment hub.