[News Today] Coupang lobbies U.S. politicians

[LEAD]
As Korean authorities scrutinize Coupang over various controversies, moves by the United States have emerged as a new variable.

Both Congress and the U.S. administration are now seen backing the company.

Cheong Wa Dae, however, says the issue should not be expanded into a broader diplomatic or trade dispute between the two countries.

[REPORT]
Coupang has recently emphasized that it is an American company.

Rob Porter / Chief Global Affairs Officer, Coupang (Oct. 2025)
Coupang is a Fortune 150 U.S. technology company.
Coupang has become an export engine for U.S. goods.

Over 90 percent of its total sales are generated in Korea, but the company has intensified its lobbying efforts in Washington.

Coupang’s parent company, Coupang Inc., spent more than 10 million U.S. dollars, or about 15.8 billion won, lobbying the U.S. Congress over the past five years.

Coupang has also leveraged political connections, including Rob Porter, a former White House staff secretary during the first Trump administration.

At a recent U.S. House hearing, Representative Adrian Smith claimed that the Korean government was attacking Coupang.

Adrian Smith / Chair, U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade (Jan. 13)
Korean regulators already seem to be aggressively targeting U.S. technology leaders.
One example would be Coupang.

It was confirmed that Smith received five thousand dollars, the maximum legal campaign contribution, from Coupang last year.

Another lawmaker attended a dinner hosted by Coupang’s interim CEO, Harold Rogers.

At a House hearing, she singled out Coupang founder Kim Bom-suk.

Carol Miller / U.S. Republican Congresswoman (Jan. 13)
They have recently launched what amounts to a political witch hunt against two American executives.

Lobbying disclosures show Coupang has engaged in wide-ranging lobbying through U.S. law firms staffed by former congressional aides and officials.

Yeo Han-koo, Korea’s trade minister, who recently met U.S. lawmakers, is also said to have faced protests over Coupang.

Yeo Han-koo / Trade Minister (Jan. 17)
There were misunderstandings on the U.S. side.
When you only hear a company’s position, it becomes difficult to gain a balanced understanding.

Cheong Wa Dae said it would be inappropriate to interpret the Coupang case as a diplomatic or trade issue between South Korea and the United States.

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