This article was published on June 23, 2025, at 2:08 p.m. on the ChosunBiz RM report site.
The Fair Trade Commission has launched a field investigation into KT and its subsidiary Millie's library. As indications of the subsidiary suffering substantial losses while providing benefits to the parent company have been detected, it is reported that the Fair Trade Commission is looking into whether this transaction structure constitutes 'unfair support.'
According to industry sources on the 23rd, the Fair Trade Commission is sending researchers to KT's headquarters to conduct a field investigation. It is reported that this investigation is focused on the transaction where KT received electronic book subscription rights from Millie's library at a price lower than the regular price, combining them with its own rate plan.
The Fair Trade Commission is reportedly verifying whether Millie's library provided favorable conditions to KT in this transaction process, which has resulted in a structure where the subsidiary bears losses.
Earlier, the Small Shareholders Alliance of Millie's library reported KT to the Fair Trade Commission for unfair support allegations. At that time, the Small Shareholders Alliance claimed that KT caused harm to Millie's library by receiving subscription rights at a price 85% lower than the regular price (15,000 won per month) and integrating them into its rate plan, which raised concerns given that it was lower than the minimum supply price of 60,000 won for corporate customers.
Market analysts suggest that this transaction is not unrelated to the improved performance of KT's budget mobile service provider KT M Mobile. In fact, KT M Mobile has recorded a notable increase in performance compared to its competitors by promoting a 'lifetime free' product combined with Millie's library subscription rights. Last year, KT M Mobile's net profit was 13.1 billion won, an increase of 7.5 billion won from the previous year. During the same period, SK Telecom experienced a decrease of 3.5 billion won, while the media log of LG Uplus reported a net loss of 12.8 billion won.
The Fair Trade Commission has reportedly stated that if the transaction between KT and Millie's library involves the provision of 'assets or services at prices deviating from normal prices' between related parties, it may be deemed unfair support under the Fair Trade Act, and it is working to comprehensively secure relevant data.
A Fair Trade Commission official stated, 'We cannot confirm whether the investigation is ongoing or provide specific details,' but added, 'If any legal violations are confirmed, we will take strict measures.'