The Korea Fair Trade Commission has launched an on-site investigation into Asung Daiso, the operator of the discount lifestyle goods chain Daiso, over allegations that it violated the Act on Fair Transactions in Large Retail Business.
Industry sources said Wednesday that the commission sent investigators to Asung Daiso's headquarters in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday to carry out the on-site probe. The commission is reportedly looking into whether Asung Daiso returned products it had received from suppliers without justifiable reason.
The commission is also said to be examining whether Asung Daiso demanded economic benefits from suppliers and unfairly passed on the costs of promotional events.
The commission earlier conducted an on-site investigation into Asung Daiso alongside CJ Olive Young in April over allegations that both companies had violated the same law. The latest probe is an additional on-site investigation aimed at reinforcing that earlier inquiry.
According to a survey the commission released in December 2025 on sales commission rates charged by major retail brands, CJ Olive Young's online shopping mall charged an effective commission rate of 23.5 percent, notably higher than other retailers, which charged around 10 percent. The effective commission rate at its specialty stores also reached 27.0 percent.
The commission's separate survey on payment practices among major retailers found that Daiso, in direct-purchase transactions, took an average of 59.1 days after receiving goods to pay suppliers, nearly maxing out the legal deadline of 60 days.
korean@heraldcorp.com
