South Korea

"내년 매출에 직격", IT총판들 긴장 이유는?…HPE·아루바·주니퍼, 단일 총판 체계 변경

Digital Daily | Local Language | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | Supply Chain Issues

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) plans to consolidate its domestic distribution network for Aruba, Juniper Networks, and HPE servers into a single integrated distributor system starting early next year. Presently, these product lines are managed by separate distributors, but HPE aims to reduce over ten distributors down to approximately 2–4 companies. The process involves a Request for Information (RFI) beginning in January 2026, with final distributor selections expected by April 2026.

This integration is driven by HPE’s global policy to limit the number of distributors per region and reflects the strategic alignment of its expanded network portfolio following acquisitions of Aruba and Juniper. By combining wireless networking strengths from Aruba and wired/data center capabilities of Juniper, HPE intends to offer unified proposals and support for AI-based network operations and edge-cloud environments. The restructuring is expected to significantly impact the distributor ecosystem, intensifying competition as distributors with varying portfolios vie for inclusion.

Industry groups like ITCEN and SNet, which currently handle multiple product lines, are viewed as having an advantage due to their broad portfolios, as HPE is likely to consider past performance and product experience in its evaluations. While the primary focus is on an integrated distribution framework, there is some indication that certain single-product-line distributors might be allowed to continue under exceptional circumstances, aligning with the broader network portfolio reorganization emphasizing AI-driven network competitiveness.

Bae, Kim & Lee LLC | English | AcademicThink | Dec. 12, 2025 | Regulation

The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has amended its Consumer Protection Guidelines in Electronic Commerce Transactions, effective October 24, 2025. The amendments establish detailed standards and recommendations concerning regulations on six types of online dark patterns under the Act on Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce. These include hidden renewal, drip pricing, pre-selected options, false hierarchy structures, obstructing cancellation or withdrawal, and nagging.

The amended Guidelines clarify that businesses must obtain explicit consumer consent at least 30 days prior to increasing recurring payments or converting free trials to paid services. They define the initial price display page and the total mandatory price, which must include all compulsory fees but exclude optional or circumstance-specific costs. The Guidelines provide concrete examples of prohibited practices relating to pre-selected options, false hierarchy, obstructing cancellation, and nagging to enhance clarity and market predictability.

Recommendations within the Guidelines advise businesses to clearly disclose pricing conditions, notify consumers of possible additional charges from optional selections, ensure consumers can decline these options, and prominently display cancellation or withdrawal buttons. These changes signal the KFTC's intent to strengthen enforcement against dark patterns, urging businesses to review and comply with the updated regulations to avoid violations.

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | Communal and Religious Strife

President Lee Jae Myung has declared that any entity, including religious organizations, should be dissolved if found guilty of crimes or acts harmful to society. This statement is widely seen as an indirect targeting of the Unification Church amid allegations of the church's political interference, raising complex legal questions about the dissolution of religious foundations under Korean law. Lee emphasized that corporate bodies, including religious groups, can be legally dissolved if they commit serious violations, and instructed a strict investigation into illegal ties between religious groups and politicians regardless of political affiliation.

The remarks come amid a special prosecutor’s investigation into the Unification Church’s illegal political donations, including a 100 million won payment to a People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker, Rep. Kweon Seong-dong. The probe uncovered attempts by the church to influence PPP lawmakers and mass membership drives supporting a specific candidate. Allegations have also surfaced of the church’s financial links to the Democratic Party (DP), including the revelation that the church allegedly gave cash and gifts to two DP lawmakers. This has heightened political tensions, with both parties accusing each other of collusion and deflecting blame.

President Lee’s firm stance echoes his past confrontations with religious groups, such as the 2020 Shincheonji Church incident, suggesting a broader aim to enforce the separation of church and state and to challenge the longstanding alliances between conservative Protestant groups and the PPP. However, the prospect of actual dissolution proceedings remains uncertain given Korea’s legal framework, which involves administrative rather than judicial dissolution orders, likely leading to contentious legal battles and political fallout.

Lee also reiterated his commitment to reform despite inevitable resistance, aligning with ongoing judicial reform efforts pushed by his Democratic Party, including controversial bills aimed at prosecuting former President Yoon. His approach has drawn fierce criticism from the PPP, which accuses him of political threats and diversion tactics amid unfolding scandals. The situation continues to evolve amid heightened political and legal scrutiny over the influence of religious organizations in Korean politics.