The Korea Association of Massage Therapists unilaterally set massage fees for its affiliated massage clinics and received a corrective order from the Fair Trade Commission.
The Fair Trade Commission said on the 3rd that the Korea Association of Massage Therapists resolved to raise the massage fee (based on 60 minutes) for affiliated clinics from 50,000 won to 60,000 won and notified member businesses.
The Fair Trade Commission determined that this conduct constitutes a prohibited act by a business association in violation of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act and issued a corrective order.
According to the Fair Trade Commission, it detected a price hike decision by a business association capable of exerting significant influence over member businesses on massage fees that each clinic should decide autonomously.
The Fair Trade Commission said, "This measure will promote price competition in the massage market," and added, "We will continue to monitor acts by business associations that undermine the competitive order."