This article was displayed on the ChosunBiz MoneyMove (MM) site at 10:39 a.m. on Jan. 27, 2026.
The Korea Fair Trade Commission has begun an investigation into Kakao Mobility. The aim is to examine whether there were unfair transaction practices related to the designated driver business.
According to the industry on the 27th, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (FTC) conducted an on-site inspection of Kakao Mobility in December last year.
The probe began after a report by a designated driver group. In October last year, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Service Federation National Designated Driver Labor Union held a press conference in front of Kakao Mobility's Pangyo headquarters, saying Kakao Mobility and its subsidiary CMNP (operator of CallMinor) were exploiting drivers through unfair practices.
Kakao Mobility charges a 20% fee per designated driver call, which the union says is excessively high compared with the 2.8% fee rate for taxi drivers.
The union also pointed out that Kakao Mobility subsidiary CMNP is profiting by selling insurance products and Kakao T coupon packs for 25,000 won.
Criticism from lawmaker Shin Jang-sik of the Rebuilding Korea Party was also found to have influenced the FTC investigation. In the National Policy Committee's audit of the Korea Fair Trade Commission in October last year, Shin said, "Kakao T collects designated driver group insurance premiums within its fees even when a driver purchases private insurance."
Shin also said Kakao Mobility's designated driver compensation program constitutes abuse of power by steering drivers to accept Kakao calls before those from other platforms.
An official at the Korea Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said, "It is difficult to confirm specific details about an ongoing investigation."