Cooperation between antimonopoly bodies of Russia and South Korea was discussed at “The Russian Competition Week”

The Head of FAS Anti-Cartel Department, Andrey Tenishev, and the Head of Competition Policy Bureau, Korea Fair Trade Commission, Seboong Kwag, had a working meeting to discuss cooperation between the two bodies.

The parties exchanged experience of investigating anticompetitive agreements on the markets and in the course of tenders, discussed specifics of applying leniency programs and the prospects of further cooperation.

In particular, Andrey Tenishev informed foreign colleagues about Russian practices and the statistics on antimonopoly cases against cartels and bid-rigging: “In 2015, 161 cases against cartels were opened in Russia, of which 116 (around 72%) concerned bid-rigging. This situation requires special attention to public and municipal procurement and property sale”, pointed out Head of FAS Anti-Cartel Department.  He also shared information about opening a case against “Apple” on signs of unlawful coordination of economic activity. Earlier Korea already investigated “Apple”.

The Head of Competition Policy Bureau, Seboong Kwag, in his turn pointed out that “in Korea around 70% cartel cases relate to bid-rigging”, so they pay special attention to such cases. He also outlined specifics of the leniency programme adopted in 1996. In particular, the persons that were relieved from liability and repeated violations (concluding / participating in a cartel) within five subsequent years are subject to a more severe punishment, including withdrawal of earlier granted leniency.

Concluding the meeting, the parties made a decision to further develop relations between the two bodies, particular, in the course of investigations on international markets.

“The Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea are some of the first in the world that successfully implemented a single trading system. It enables the antimonopoly bodies to apply the most advanced methods of cartel exposure. This direction seems to be one of the most prospective for exchanging experience and cooperation”, pointed out Deputy Head of FAS Anti-Cartel Department, Mukhamed Khamukov.