Fair trade watchdog approves NS Shopping's takeover of Homeplus Express

South Korea's antitrust watchdog on Friday approved NS Shopping Co.'s takeover of the compact-format supermarket chain Homeplus Express, saying the deal is unlikely to hinder fair competition in the market.

The Fair Trade Commission made the ruling after NS Shopping, an affiliate of Harim Co., South Korea's largest poultry-processing company, announced its plan to acquire Homeplus Express from Homeplus Co. in a deal estimated at 120.6 billion won ($79.3 million).

Homeplus Express is the super su ...