According to the Court’s ruling, it was unlawful for the High Court to rule that the non-affiliated
installment financing companies were not included in the transaction counterpart of
discriminatory treatment and that there was no discrimination against car buyers. However,
given the circumstances at the time of the installment interest rate cut, it is difficult to view
that the primary purpose of Hyundai-Kia Motors’ conduct was to help its affiliated company
in an advantageous position. In addition, considering the argument that the conduct was
needed for business operation, it did not have a risk of impeding fair competition in the market, and therefore, it could not be said that the conduct of Hyundai-Kia Motors was an act
of discrimination in favor of its affiliated company.