SEOUL, July 15, 2025 — South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) announced today it has initiated a 31-day public consultation on a proposed consent agreement with Google over alleged anticompetitive conduct involving its YouTube subscription services.
The draft agreement would resolve accusations that Google unfairly restricted consumer choice and competition by failing to offer a standalone subscription for ad-free video streaming—known as “YouTube Premium Lite”—in South Korea. Until now, users could only purchase bundled services combining YouTube video and music, or music alone.
Under the proposal, Google will launch YouTube Premium Lite in South Korea at a price of KRW 8,500 (approx. $6.50 USD) for Android and web users, and KRW 10,900 (approx. $8.40 USD) for iOS users—approximately 57% and 56% of the full YouTube Premium price, respectively. The pricing is the lowest globally for this offering, the KFTC noted.
The draft includes several commitments from Google:
- Price Freeze: The prices of both YouTube Premium Lite and YouTube Premium will be frozen for at least one year following Lite’s launch.
- Introductory Offers: Consumers switching from YouTube Premium or subscribing for the first time will receive two months of Premium Lite free—an offer unprecedented globally. This benefit package is valued at KRW 75 billion (approx. $57.7 million USD).
- Discount Partnerships: Google will partner with resellers to provide discounted subscription packages, also worth KRW 75 billion (approx. $57.7 million USD).
- Industry Support: Google will invest KRW 150 billion (approx. $115.4 million USD) in programs to discover and promote emerging Korean artists, including support for international expansion.
If the consent agreement is finalized following the public consultation (running from July 15 to August 14), Google will be required to launch the new subscription within 90 days and maintain it for at least four years.
“This agreement has the potential to improve consumer choice and foster a more competitive environment in Korea’s online music and video services market,” the KFTC said. The Commission emphasized that resolving the case through a consent decree allows for quicker and more tailored remedies compared to formal corrective orders, which can face lengthy legal delays.
To enforce compliance, the KFTC may impose daily penalties of up to KRW 2 million (approx. $1,540 USD) if Google fails to fulfill its obligations without just cause.
The proposed resolution comes amid rising consumer concern over so-called “streamflation,” as subscription prices for digital services across industries have surged.
The KFTC will publish the full draft on its website and invite feedback from interested stakeholders before making a final decision. If approved, the consent agreement would be legally binding.
