South Korea's antitrust regulators have slapped Intel with a $25.4 million fine ($26 million won) for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the local chip market. According to the Korea Fair Trade Commission, Intel was found guilty of offering unfair subsidies to Samsung and Trigem Computer on the condition that they wouldn't purchase processors from smaller rival AMD.
The commission said Intel's rebate had helped the company secure an average local market share of 91.3 percent between 2001 and 2005. Intel of course dismissed charges that the rebate arrangements centered on any kind of exclusivity with customers, and is expected to appeal the decision. This is not the first time the chipmaker has been accused of abusing its dominant market position, as it already faces similar charges from the European Commission.