The Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA), representing major U.S. technology companies, submitted research to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) alleging that South Korea’s Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) disproportionately fined U.S. firms. After adjusting for differences in laws, industries and fine years, the CCIA found that U.S. companies faced fines 5.1 times higher than South Korean companies from 2016 through 2025. The submission was made through the USTR’s annual consultation for its National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, and the CCIA urged discussions between the two governments. The KFTC says penalties are based on violation severity and related sales, not nationality, while the CCIA acknowledges that additional data could change its findings.