Gyeonggi Province Promotes Public Sector Fair Trade Compliance Model Nationwide

Gyeonggi Province has established a new national benchmark for internal compliance by expanding its “Compliance Program” (CP) across its public sector agencies. According to provincial officials, the number of Gyeonggi-affiliated public institutions implementing this internal legal monitoring system grew from just one in 2022 to 24 by 2025.

The province presented its initiative as a model for public-sector compliance during the 2026 CP Symposium, held June 16 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul. The event, organized by the Korea Fair Trade Mediation Center under the auspices of the Fair Trade Commission, highlighted how Gyeonggi used the CP framework to manage legal risks inherent in public procurement and business transactions.

Did You Know?
Gyeonggi Province became the first local government in the country to provide institutional support for CP adoption among its subordinate public agencies, utilizing tools like standardized CP templates and mandatory inclusion in management evaluations to drive participation.

Why the Compliance Program Matters

Compliance Programs (CP) serve as internal management systems designed to ensure organizations adhere strictly to fair trade regulations. By institutionalizing these programs, Gyeonggi Province aims to protect small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from unfair business practices while fostering a culture of transparency.

According to provincial reports, the initiative has yielded measurable results beyond mere participation. Internal assessments conducted by the participating agencies indicate that staff awareness of fair trade laws and general integrity levels have risen significantly since the programs were adopted. Furthermore, the province’s consulting efforts have extended into the private sector, with two regional mid-sized firms achieving an “AA” rating in the 2025 CP evaluation.

Future Expansion Plans

The province is preparing to launch “Gyeonggi CP 2.0,” a phase of the initiative intended to broaden the scope of compliance standards. Plans include extending support to the 31 cities and counties within the province, as well as reaching more SMEs.

Expert Insight:
Samantha Carter notes that while the rapid scaling from one to 24 agencies demonstrates strong administrative intent, the real challenge for “Gyeonggi CP 2.0” will be maintaining this momentum across diverse municipal structures. The success of this model likely hinges on the province’s ability to simplify participation requirements, as smaller entities often lack the resources to meet the same compliance burdens as larger state-run organizations.

To facilitate this, the province intends to advocate for changes to current evaluation systems, suggesting that regulators should consider the specific scale and operational conditions of smaller organizations when assigning compliance grades. Seo Bong-ja, head of the Fair Economy Division, stated that the province remains committed to leveraging public sector leadership to stabilize fair trade practices across the entire regional economy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary goal of the Gyeonggi CP initiative?
The initiative aims to prevent fair trade law violations and establish a fair transaction order by supporting public and private sector organizations in adopting internal compliance management systems.

How has the program grown since its inception?
The number of public institutions under Gyeonggi Province operating a Compliance Program increased from one in 2022 to 24 by 2025.

What is the next step for the province’s compliance efforts?
The province plans to implement “Gyeonggi CP 2.0,” which will target public agencies in 31 cities and counties, as well as local SMEs, while advocating for more flexible compliance evaluation standards.

Could this public-sector model successfully lower trade risks for small businesses across the rest of the country?