FTC to Investigate Major Communication Portal Sites.

The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) on Wednesday launched an on-site investigation into major Internet portal sites, including NHN, the owner of Naver, and Daum Communications. The measure is to uncover possible illegal activity, such as price fixing over advertising.

FTC visited the major Internet portal sites, such as NHN, Daum Communications, SK communications (Nate), Yahoo Korea, Empas, KTA (Paran), and inspected their books in relation to the alleged wrong-doing.

The government agency focused on the suspected price rigging in advertising since late last year as some portal sites monopolized the Internet search market. Also, it further expanded the inquiry into alleged price fixing over fees for content.

As a matter of fact, last year, the major portal sites set the same fees for search registration according to levels; 198,000 won, 297.000 won, 550,000 won. NHN, the largest Internet portal site, said, “FTC was expected to investigate some contents providers for illegal contracts, but the government agency rather focused on the alleged price fixing concerning research registration in the FTC headquarters.”

FTC plans to further expand its inquiry if necessary and decide a suitable punishment for those found to be engaging in illegal activity.

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