South Korea’s antitrust authority has extended the compliance period attached to Hanwha Group’s acquisition of Hanwha Ocean by another three years.

The Korea Fair Trade Commission said on 27 April 2026 that restrictions linked to the 2022 shipbuilder takeover will now remain in place until 2 May 2029. The measures apply to Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Ocean.

The conditions were first imposed in 2023 after Hanwha Aerospace and five affiliated companies acquired a 49.3% stake and management control of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, which was later renamed Hanwha Ocean.

Under the extended order, the companies must continue to avoid conduct such as discriminatory pricing for ship components. The FTC said it may extend the measures by up to two more years after reviewing market competition conditions and any legal changes.

This is the first time the regulator has lengthened the enforcement period of merger-related corrective measures.

The FTC said competition risks remain, including possible discriminatory sharing of information and pricing practices that could disadvantage competing shipbuilders.

The original order covered naval vessels and 10 ship component markets. In the latest decision, the scope was reduced to naval vessels and eight ship component markets.

During its review of the acquisition, the FTC had raised concerns that Hanwha Group could use its strong position in the defense sector to dominate the naval vessel components market.