Sejong, December 8, 2025 — The Korean Fair Trade Commission has announced 22 measures to ease restrictive rules that have hindered market entry and slowed innovation in sectors ranging from alcohol distribution and camping-car sharing to AI training data and food labeling.
The reforms target barriers in future-oriented industries such as AI and ICT, as well as rules that limit rivalry or burden businesses. The authority said the package is based on annual market analysis and broad consultation with experts and industry groups.
Key Measures
- Alcohol markets: Expanded licensing for liquor wholesalers and higher caps on direct ethanol purchases by soju producers to increase supplier competition.
- Sharing economy: Planned legal changes to allow private camping-car owners to rent vehicles via sharing platforms.
- AI development: Under strict safeguards, original personal data may be used as training data without pseudonymisation to speed model development.
- Smart technology: Local governments will be allowed to reward wastewater-facility operators for cost savings achieved through digital tools.
- Food labeling: More information may be provided via QR codes, improving readability and lowering packaging costs.
- Bakery origin labels: Practical standards are being developed to ease compliance burdens.
- Construction technology: Subcontracting rules clarified to allow participation by new-technology agreement holders.
The authority said the reforms aim to promote rivalry, support innovation, and strengthen consumer choice across multiple sectors.
