Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act — Article 80 (Recognition of and reporting on violations)

(1) Where the Fair Trade Commission deems that there is a suspected violation of this Act, it may conduct a necessary investigation ex officio.

(2) Any person may report a violation of this Act to the Fair Trade Commission.

(3) Where the Fair Trade Commission makes a disposition or does not make a disposition under this Act following an investigation conducted ex officio or upon a report under paragraph (2), it shall give written notice stating the grounds, details, reasons, etc. to the parties to the relevant case; provided, where a written resolution is to be prepared pursuant to Article 68, the original copy of the relevant written resolution shall be sent.

(4) The Fair Trade Commission shall neither order corrective measures under this Act nor impose a penalty surcharge for a violation of this Act if seven years have elapsed from the date the violation is terminated.

(5) Notwithstanding paragraph (4), the Fair Trade Commission shall neither order corrective measures nor impose a penalty surcharge under this Act for illegal cartel conduct upon the expiration of the following periods:

1. Five years from the investigation commencement date prescribed by Presidential Decree, where the Fair Trade Commission commences an investigation on the relevant violation;

2. Seven years from the date the relevant violation is terminated, where the Fair Trade Commission does not commence an investigation on the relevant violation.

(6) Paragraphs (4) and (5) shall not apply where a corrective measure or a disposition to impose a penalty surcharge is revoked according to a judgment of a court and a new disposition is made based on the reason for the judgment.

(7) Where a party files a lawsuit because the Fair Trade Commission fails to comply with a request for inspection or copying of materials under Article 95, the period prescribed in paragraphs (4) and (5) shall be suspended for the relevant party and any other party subject to deliberation on the same case, while such period shall continue from the time the judgment becomes final and conclusive.