The Fair Trade Commission is launching an investigation into allegations that seven medical specialty companies colluded in bidding for laboratory testing services at national and public hospitals for over 12 years. These companies are suspected of engaging in unfair collusion, such as agreeing on winning bidders, bid prices, and quantities in advance, in 706 bids from 2012 to 2024. The seven companies hold a maximum market share of 87% in the laboratory testing market and have influenced bids worth approximately 294 billion won. The Fair Trade Commission considers their actions to be serious illegal acts constituting "bid rigging" and "quantity rigging," and is reviewing the imposition of fines of up to 90 billion won. A final judgment is expected to be handed down at a plenary session.
