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South Korean Minister: Alliance Strong Despite Coupang Dispute
🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

South Korean Minister: Alliance Strong Despite Coupang Dispute

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • South Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-kwan departed for Washington to discuss trade issues, including the "Coupang situation."
  • He stated that the alliance with the U.S. would not be shaken by this single issue, emphasizing that South Korea's position would be explained to U.S. officials.
  • The minister also plans to discuss follow-up measures for U.S. investment projects and attend the opening of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Center.

South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jong-kwan departed for Washington on July 22 to address trade matters, including the ongoing dispute surrounding e-commerce giant Coupang.

I don't think the ROK-U.S. alliance will be shaken by one such issue.

— Kim Jong-kwanAddressing reporters about the potential impact of the Coupang situation on the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

Kim asserted that the South Korea-U.S. alliance remains robust and will not be destabilized by the Coupang issue. "I don't think the ROK-U.S. alliance will be shaken by one such issue," Kim told reporters at Incheon International Airport before his departure. He expressed confidence that the U.S. would understand South Korea's stance once the government fully explains its position regarding the investigation into Coupang's alleged personal data breaches.

If we fully explain our government's position, the U.S. will understand.

— Kim Jong-kwanExpressing confidence in resolving trade disputes through explanation.

During his visit, Kim is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Center (KUSPC) on July 23 local time. He will also meet with key figures in the U.S. administration and Congress to discuss follow-up actions on investment projects. South Korea pledged $350 billion in U.S. investments last year, and Kim aims to solidify the details and schedule for these projects, describing it as a "clear agenda" for his trip. He also addressed concerns about potential Section 301 tariffs, noting that the U.S. has indicated an approach that balances the interests of both nations.

Solidifying the details and schedule for U.S. projects is a clear agenda for this visit to the U.S.

— Kim Jong-kwanStating the primary objective of his trip to Washington.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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