(1) Where a violation of this Act is deemed to have occurred, anyone may report it to the Fair Trade Commission. In such cases, the Fair Trade Commission shall, where the reporter gives consent as prescribed by Presidential Decree, notify the prime contractor of the fact that it has received the relevant report. <Amended on Mar. 29, 2016>
(2) When a report has been made under the former part of paragraph (1), or a violation of this Act is deemed to have occurred, the Fair Trade Commission may make a necessary investigation. <Amended on Mar. 29, 2016>
(3) Where the Fair Trade Commission notifies a prime contractor of such fact pursuant to the latter part of paragraph (1), peremptory notice under Article 174 of the Civil Act shall be deemed given; provided, this shall not apply where any reported fact is not subject to this Act or the Fair Trade Commission decides not to proceed with procedures for deliberation on the reported fact due to the elapse of the allowable period of investigation on the relevant transaction which would be subject to the investigation under the main clause of Article 23 (1); where the Fair Trade Commission decides that the reported fact is free from suspicion; or where the reporter withdraws the report. <Amended on Mar. 29, 2016>
(4) Where the corresponding period specified in the following categories has elapsed, the Fair Trade Commission shall not issue an order to take a corrective measure under Article 25 (1) or impose a penalty surcharge under Article 25-3; provided, this shall not apply where, as a result of the canceling the order to take a corrective measure or the disposition to impose a penalty surcharge on the basis of a court’s judgment, the Commission disposition in compliance with the reason for the judgment: <Added on Jul. 24, 2015; Mar. 29, 2016>
1. Where the Fair Trade Commission, upon receipt of a report pursuant to the former part of paragraph (1), commences an investigation on a violation of this Act pursuant to paragraph (2): Three years from the date of report;
2. Where the Fair Trade Commission commences an investigation on any violation of this Act pursuant to paragraph (2), except for the cases falling under subparagraph 1: Three years from the commencement date of investigation.
(5) The Fair Trade Commission may, within the budget, pay monetary rewards to a person who makes a report or provides information on any violation of Article 4, 8 (1), 10, 11 (1) or (2), or 12-3 (4) and also presents data evidencing that violation. <Added on Jul. 24, 2015; Aug. 17, 2021>
(6) Matters necessary for the scope of persons eligible for monetary rewards under paragraph (5), and standards, procedures, etc. for payment of monetary rewards shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Added on Jul. 24, 2015>
(7) The Fair Trade Commission shall, where a fact falling under any of the following cases has been found after paying monetary rewards pursuant to paragraph (5), notify the person paid the monetary rewards of the amount to be returned, and he or she shall return it within 30 days from the date of receipt of the notification: <Added on Jul. 24, 2015>
1. Cases of receiving monetary rewards in any unjustifiable manners such as evidence collection by improper means, false reporting, false statement, and evidence forgery;
2. Where the person receives the monetary award, etc. on the same grounds under other statutes or regulations;
3. Any other cases where the monetary award is given in error due to a mistake, etc.
(8) Where a person who is obliged to return monetary rewards pursuant to paragraph (7) fails to return it, the Fair Trade Commission may collect it in the same manner as delinquent national taxes are collected. <Added on Jul. 24, 2015>[This Article Wholly Amended on Apr. 1, 2009]