The Fair Trade Commission drastically reduces the fine for blocking calls by Kakao Mobility from 72.4 billion won to 15.1 billion won.

The Financial Services Commission has decided to apply the ‘net method’ for accounting to Kakao Mobility, resulting in a reduction of fines from an initial ₩72.4 billion to ₩15.1 billion. Originally, Kakao Mobility used the ‘gross method’ in their financial statements, recognizing 19% of affiliate taxi commission fees as operating revenue and 16.7% as operating expenses. However, the Financial Supervisory Service insisted that only a net 2.3% of these fees should be recorded as revenue using the ‘net method’. Following the decision by the commission, the Fair Trade Commission adjusted the fine based on recalculated revenue using the net method. Previously, in September, the Fair Trade Commission had provisionally decided on the fine citing abuse of market dominance by blocking ride requests for affiliate drivers not complying with their demands. Kakao Mobility pressured competitors to share sensitive operational data and required them to pay fees for using Kakao T’s call service, effectively mandating unreasonable contract terms. An official stated that they would reassess relevant sales figures and penalties following the commission’s decision on the accounting method.