Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 18
South Korea Rejects 2 Food-Delivery Antitrust Settlements, Exposing Baemin and Coupang Eats to Fines
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 18

South Korea Rejects 2 Food-Delivery Antitrust Settlements, Exposing Baemin and Coupang Eats to Fines

2 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 18

Summary

  • South Korea’s antitrust watchdog rejected settlement proposals from Baedal Minjok and Coupang Eats, keeping both platforms in an antitrust probe that could lead to significant fines.
  • The case centers on allegations that the two delivery apps pressured restaurant partners to keep prices and discounts on their platforms equal to or lower than offers on rival apps.
  • With the settlement bids turned down, the companies now remain fully exposed to formal enforcement over what regulators describe as potentially unfair business practices.

Insights

Is South Korea's crackdown the first domino to fall in the global regulation of food delivery platforms?
With delivery giants facing huge fines, is a major market collapse in South Korea now inevitable?
As regulators target 'price parity,' will the era of 'free' food delivery and its hidden costs finally end?