South Korea Considers Response to U.S. Lawmakers' Letter on Coupang Regulations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is carefully reviewing its response to a recent letter from 54 U.S. House Republican members, who have raised concerns about alleged discriminatory regulations targeting American companies, including the e-commerce giant Coupang. Our position, as consistently communicated to our American counterparts, is clear: any investigations or actions taken against Coupang are strictly in accordance with South Korean domestic law and due process, applied equally to all entities irrespective of their origin.

“

Investigations and actions against Coupang are being carried out in accordance with our domestic law and due process, and are being conducted non-discriminatorily, regardless of nationality.

We are currently in discussions with relevant ministries, such as the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, to formulate an appropriate reply. Should we decide to respond formally, the communication will likely detail the scope and severity of the personal information leak incident involving Coupang, as well as the ongoing legal proceedings under our national laws. This situation highlights the sensitivity with which the U.S. Congress views issues affecting its domestic companies operating abroad, a point we acknowledge and are addressing through diplomatic channels.

It is crucial to maintain a clear distinction between the Coupang data breach issue and broader security cooperation between South Korea and the United States. While we are managing the Coupang matter through legal and administrative channels, our commitment to the bilateral security alliance remains steadfast. We are working diligently to ensure that this commercial issue does not cast a shadow over critical security discussions, including those concerning the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines and other defense cooperation initiatives.

“

This is an example of how seriously the U.S. Congress is dealing with the issue of discriminatory treatment of its own companies abroad.

However, we cannot ignore the potential indirect impact. The U.S. Congress's heightened attention to the treatment of American firms could create an atmosphere that indirectly influences the pace of security negotiations. Ensuring the swift implementation of key agreements, such as those related to nuclear-powered submarines and advanced technological cooperation, is paramount. While not directly linked, the prevailing sentiment within the U.S. Congress and administration regarding the Coupang situation warrants careful consideration as we navigate these important bilateral discussions.

“

The Coupang issue should be viewed separately from security discussions.