Foreign Ministry "Considering Sending Reply to Joint Letter on Coupang from 54 U.S. House Members"

"In Consultation with Relevant Ministries"

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it is considering sending a reply to the U.S. Republican House members who sent a joint letter to the Korean Embassy in the United States regarding the Coupang issue.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs building. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Park Il, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated during a briefing at the Government Complex Seoul on April 28 that "we are currently discussing the sending of a reply in consultation with the relevant ministries."

Spokesperson Park explained, "The investigation and actions regarding Coupang are being carried out in accordance with Korean domestic law and due process, and are conducted in a non-discriminatory manner regardless of nationality." He added, "The government has continuously explained this position to the U.S. administration and Congress, and will continue to communicate as necessary in the future."

Previously, Kang Kyung-wha, the Korean Ambassador to the United States, received a joint letter from 54 U.S. Republican House members urging Korea to stop discriminatory regulations against U.S. companies such as Coupang. It is also known that several congressional offices in the United States have previously sent similar letters. An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "We have responded either by sending a reply or by visiting congressional offices to provide explanations," adding, "This demonstrates how seriously the U.S. Congress treats the issue of discriminatory treatment of its companies operating abroad."

There appears to be a widespread perception among some in the U.S. administration and Congress that the Korean government’s legal actions regarding Coupang represent "excessive regulation of U.S. companies." As a result, there are concerns that this issue could affect ongoing Korea-U.S. security consultations following the Joint Fact Sheet (JFS). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to strengthen outreach by directly visiting and providing explanations to the U.S. side. An official stated, "The Coupang issue is a matter that requires continued effort and management."

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