[THE INVESTOR] South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has received the highest rating from an annual ranking of the world’s antitrust authorities.

In a survey conducted by Global Competition Review, a leading international antitrust and competition law journal based in UK, it was awarded five stars along with its US, German and French counterparts, among the authorities from 39 countries.

This is the first time an Asian competition authority has received the top ranking, named Elite.

The size of staff and budget as well as implementation of laws are the main criteria. The South Korean organization said that its effective enforcement of laws in cartel and intellectual property sectors has helped earn the highest rating.

FTC was rated 4 1/2 stars last year.

By Hwang You-mee (glamazon@heraldcorp.com)