Korea Market

Korea’s Fair Trade Commission announced KRW 338.3 billion in decision-stage fines against six paper manufacturers for a printing-paper cartel. The figure must be separated from later post-leniency payments.

Back-to-back plant fires and workplace fatalities in early 2026 have pushed Korea’s corrugated base paper inventory down 40% year-on-year. We examine the causes and the ripple effects on packaging costs and supply chains.