Introduction

Recent developments in South Korea’s antitrust policy and leadership are puzzling, especially given the Trump administration’s focus on competition and innovation and concern regarding Korean policy. Korea’s moves continue to create friction between the U.S. and Korea and will likely stifle innovation in a crucial new era of AI-driven growth. Two recent events are at the heart of this shift: a letter from the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) to the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee regarding Congressional concern of Korean targeting of U.S. innovative firms, and the appointment of a new KFTC chair from outside the traditional antitrust community.