Seoul managing Coupang issue to avoid straining ties with U.S.

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively managing the ongoing issues surrounding the e-commerce giant Coupang to ensure they do not strain relations with the United States. The ministry stressed that all investigations and actions taken against Coupang are in strict accordance with South Korean domestic law and are applied fairly, without discrimination.

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We will continue to manage the Coupang issue so that it does not become a burden on South Korea-U.S. relations.

"We will continue to manage the Coupang issue so that it does not become a burden on South Korea-U.S. relations," stated ministry spokesperson Park Il during a regular press briefing. He added that the government will maintain continuous contact with the U.S. Congress, including the House Judiciary Committee, and the administration to provide accurate information. This outreach aims to prevent the situation from casting a negative shadow on the bilateral relationship.

The ministry's comments come amid persistent concerns from U.S. officials and lawmakers who believe Coupang is being unfairly targeted by the South Korean government. Despite explanations from Seoul, some in Washington maintain that the company faces discriminatory treatment. This issue has been a significant point of discussion, even for the South Korean Ambassador to the U.S., who noted it has been a more persistent issue than anticipated.

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All investigations and measures against Coupang are conducted lawfully and without discrimination under our domestic law.

Park further elaborated that while investigations into matters like personal data breaches and subsequent fines are proceeding independently under relevant laws, the government is committed to strengthening diplomatic efforts. The goal is to ensure that the Coupang situation does not become an obstacle, given the vast areas of cooperation between the two nations. The ministry reiterated its commitment to ensuring a fair business environment for all companies, regardless of nationality, and denied any intention of targeting specific corporations.

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The Coupang issue is a more prolonged issue than I had thought.