This article was published on June 24, 2025, at 8:43 a.m. on the ChosunBiz RM Report website.
The Fair Trade Commission has confirmed that it conducted an on-site investigation of NCSOFT, a domestic game company, as a witness regarding allegations of Google's abuse of market dominance. The Fair Trade Commission has launched a full investigation into allegations that Google provided rebates to encourage game companies to use its app market, Google Play.
According to industry sources on the 24th, the Fair Trade Commission sent researchers to NCSOFT's headquarters to carry out an on-site investigation starting on the 23rd. This follows the commencement of the examination process regarding allegations of Google's abuse of its dominant market position. It is reported that the major targets of the investigation include whether Google provided rebates, contractual details, and internal decision-making documents between Google and domestic game companies.
This investigation follows a complaint filed with the Fair Trade Commission last November by the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice, the Korea Game Users Association, and the Korea Game Consumer Association. These organizations alleged that Google provided marketing-related rebates to major domestic game companies such as NCSOFT, Netmarble, Pearl Abyss, and Com2uS, and encouraged them to abandon launches on competing platforms like the domestic app market ONE store.
The so-called "Google rebate" allegations became known through internal documents of Google revealed during antitrust litigation in the United States and local media reports. The whistleblower's side claims that four domestic game companies obtained a total of $564 million (approximately 826.4 billion won) in economic benefits from Google.
The Fair Trade Commission previously found that Google had impeded domestic game companies' entry into competing app markets to control ONE store and imposed a penalty surcharge of 42.1 billion won. The key issue of this investigation is reported to be whether the terms of transactions signed between Google and individual game companies were discriminatory enough to hinder market competition.
A Fair Trade Commission official stated, "We cannot confirm whether there is an investigation or details," but added, "If any illegal activities are confirmed, we will take strict action in accordance with the law."