What did the U.S. Republican lawmakers say about Coupang in their letter to Kang Kyung-wha?

They urged Seoul to stop what they called unfair treatment of U.S. firms, naming Coupang as an example. Their complaint was tied to Korea’s ongoing probe into a massive data breach affecting more than 33 million users.

How has the foreign ministry said it is handling the Coupang issue with the United States?

The ministry said it has been consulting relevant ministries and may send a detailed reply that explains the legal process and the seriousness of the personal data leak. It also said it has already given explanations to some congressional offices through visits and other outreach.

Foreign ministry reviewing response to US lawmakers' letter on Coupang case

Q: Why is Korea’s foreign ministry reviewing a reply to U.S. Republican lawmakers over Coupang?

The ministry is considering a response because 54 Republican House members asked Seoul to end what they described as discriminatory regulations against Coupang and other American companies. Korea has been telling U.S. officials that the Coupang case is being handled under domestic laws and due procedures.

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Summary

The foreign ministry is reviewing a reply to U.S. Republican lawmakers who urged Seoul to stop what they called discriminatory treatment of Coupang and other American companies. The lawmakers linked their complaint to an ongoing Korean probe into a massive data breach affecting more than 33 million users. The ministry said it has been explaining that the Coupang investigation is being handled under domestic laws and due procedures.

Key Facts

Fifty-four Republican members of the U.S. House, affiliated with the Republican Study Committee, sent a letter to Korean Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha.
The lawmakers said Seoul should halt what they described as unfair treatment of U.S. firms, including Coupang, amid the data breach probe.
A ministry spokesperson said consultations are under way with relevant ministries on how to respond.
A ministry official said Korea had already answered similar messages from some congressional offices through in-person visits and other means.
The planned reply is expected to explain legal procedures and the seriousness and scale of Coupang’s personal data leak.

By Yonhap

Published Apr 28, 2026 4:47 pm KST

Foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il speaks during a regular press briefing held at the Government Complex Seoul, April 16. Yonhap

The foreign ministry said Tuesday it is reviewing sending a reply to a letter from U.S. Republican lawmakers calling for an end to what they described as discriminatory regulations against Coupang and other American companies.

Last week, 54 Republican members of the U.S. House affiliated with the Republican Study Committee (RSC) released a letter they sent to Korean Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha, in which they urged Seoul to halt what they called unfair treatment of U.S. firms, including Coupang, amid an ongoing probe here into a massive data breach affecting more than 33 million users.

"We are in consultations with relevant ministries regarding a response," ministry spokesperson Park Il told a press briefing. "We have been explaining to the U.S. administration and Congress that investigations and measures involving Coupang are being carried out in accordance with domestic laws and due procedures."

Any potential reply is expected to include detailed explanations of legal procedures, as well as the seriousness and scale of the personal data leak incident involving Coupang.

A ministry official told reporters that even prior to the letter from U.S. Republicans, some congressional offices had sent similar messages to the Korean side, to which the government had responded or provided explanations through in-person visits and other means.

"We will further enhance our outreach to ensure our position is clearly understood," the official added.

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