Hanwha and Coupang have launched legal challenges against the Korea Fair Trade Commission’s on-site investigation practices, marking an unusual shift from companies’ traditionally cautious approach to the regulator. The Seoul High Court on September 9 suspended the effect of a KFTC document submission order against Hanwha until January 31, 2027, the first such suspension of a KFTC order. Hanwha disputes demands for employee A’s mobile phone messages and related materials in an investigation into suspected improper trademark usage fees involving affiliates. Coupang separately refused a KFTC investigation into alleged violations of the Large-Scale Retail Business Act and sued to cancel the investigation decision, arguing that the regulator failed to provide seven days’ prior notice. The KFTC says the Fair Trade Act does not require that notice in the case. Legal professionals say KFTC investigations can impose broader demands than warrant-based police searches, helping drive companies to assert their defense rights more actively.