By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee

The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM), led by Chairman and CEO James Kim, met with Ju Biung-ghi, newly appointed Chairperson of the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC), on Nov. 6 at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul to exchange views on the new administration’s fair trade policy direction and key issues faced by global companies operating in the Korean market.

As part of Chairperson Ju’s ongoing series of industry outreach efforts following his appointment, this meeting served as a platform to discuss the new administration’s fair trade policy priorities and hear directly from foreign companies about their on-the-ground difficulties in the Korean market.

In his remarks, AMCHAM Chairman & CEO James Kim emphasized the importance of open communication between the government and the business community, noting that a transparent and predictable regulatory environment is essential to enhancing Korea’s competitiveness and attractiveness as an investment destination.

“Building on the successful momentum from the APEC CEO Summit, AMCHAM looks forward to working closely with the Korean government, especially the KFTC, to drive innovation, transparency, and stronger public-private partnerships,” he said. “By expanding pro-innovation regulatory frameworks and promoting open, evidence-based dialogue, we can foster a more predictable and globally competitive business environment in Korea.”

Chairperson Ju Biung-ghi reaffirmed the KFTC’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation with competition authorities worldwide, while recognizing that differences in systems and enforcement approaches can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. He emphasized that continuous dialogue is key to building trust and enhancing the credibility and effectiveness of fair trade policies.

During the closed-door roundtable session, participants shared their perspectives on a wide range of topics, including the KFTC’s approach to platform regulation, improvements to competition-restrictive regulations, policy directions in response to emerging technologies such as AI, and the importance of strengthening communication with multinational companies.

AMCHAM Chairman & CEO Kim expressed his appreciation to Chairperson Ju for his leadership in promoting fair and free competition, protecting consumers, and ensuring balanced economic development. He added that AMCHAM looks forward to continued collaboration with the KFTC to advance Korea’s fair trade objectives and further strengthen the country’s position as a leading global investment hub.