South Korean Fair Trade Commission Chairman Kim Sang-jo pledged all-out efforts Friday to create a level playing field for conglomerates and small-and-medium businesses.

Kim said the unfair leverage conglomerates have over smaller businesses creates an uneven distribution of influence across the economy.

Kim said the antitrust agency will draw up measures to mitigate unfair distribution of deals as well as improve conditions for subcontractors within the year.

The agency also plans to crack down on franchise companies that mistreat the owners or workers of their branches.