Just as Qualcomm has moved beyond its former antitrust problems in China, it has been hit with another record fine, this time in South Korea. The Korean regulator wants to fine Qualcomm about US$853m for antitrust violations – the biggest fine ever imposed in the country. After a three-year investigation, Korea’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has concluded that Qualcomm’s patent licensing practices amount to abusive business behavior. The FTC claims that the US firm has violated antitrust law by blocking access to its IPR for some competing chipmakers. It also says that the company forces handset companies into unfair licence deals, by refusing to give them access to necessary chips if they did not sign up, and requires those vendors…