Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha Returns to Seoul for Urgent U.S.-South Korea Issue Talks

South Korean Ambassador to the United States, Kang Kyung-wha, has made an uncharacteristic temporary return to Seoul to engage in high-level discussions on a range of critical issues impacting the bilateral relationship between South Korea and the U.S. The ambassador described the ongoing controversy surrounding the e-commerce giant Coupang as a "much longer issue than I thought," highlighting its persistent and complex nature.

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The Couang issue is being managed as that issue, and we are continuing to consult at various levels to make progress on the matters agreed upon by both leaders in the joint fact sheet.

Ambassador Kang met with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun upon her arrival, signaling the urgency of the matters at hand. She indicated that while the Coupang issue is being managed separately, efforts are underway at various levels to advance agreements made by the leaders of both nations during the recent summit. When questioned about specific demands from the U.S. side regarding the Coupang dispute, Kang stated she could not provide details but confirmed ongoing consultations.

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There is nothing I can tell you right now. We are continuing to consult.

The temporary return comes amid a period of increasing friction in U.S.-South Korea relations. Beyond the Coupang situation and disagreements over South Korea's Information and Communication Network Act, progress in security cooperation has reportedly been slower than anticipated. The Coupang issue, in particular, has become a growing burden, drawing criticism from U.S. lawmakers and officials who allege discriminatory practices against American businesses.

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We are trying to discover projects that meet commercial rationality, so I think more discussion is needed.

Ambassador Kang's visit is seen as a crucial step to address these accumulating tensions. She is scheduled to remain in Seoul until June 19th, participating in meetings with relevant ministries and the National Security Office to discuss key bilateral agenda items. Kang emphasized that her return is intended to bridge the gap between the perspectives of Washington D.C. and Seoul, allowing her to convey the on-the-ground sentiment to headquarters and receive the headquarters' directives firsthand. Discussions also touched upon U.S. pressure for accelerated investment from South Korea, with Kang noting ongoing talks between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

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There are so many issues because the relationship between South Korea and the U.S. is so intricate. Since there is a difference in the sense of the field between those in Washington D.C. and those at headquarters, I came here to hear the headquarters' thoughts and convey the sense of the field.