SEOUL — A senior South Korean presidential official stated Wednesday that an ongoing dispute with U.S.-listed e-commerce company Coupang has not slowed down any conversations with Washington regarding trade, investment, or national security matters, despite growing concern that the case was straining the alliance between the two countries.
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac addressed the situation at a briefing, saying the Coupang matter centers on a legally confirmed data breach involving more than 33 million records. He rejected the company’s assertion that the incident only involved roughly 3,000 records.
“That fact has been established,” Wi said. “Discussions should start from that point.”
The controversy stems from South Korea’s investigation into a data leak at Seattle-based Coupang. The probe has drawn criticism from U.S. officials and American business groups, who have accused Seoul of unfairly singling out the company.
Wi clarified that a recent meeting between South Korea’s ambassador to the U.S. and senior government officials covered a wide range of bilateral topics, not just the Coupang situation.
“Coupang was discussed, of course,” he said. “But we agreed to prepare response measures by looking at various issues comprehensively and collectively.”
Wi added that while there are “various pending issues” between the two nations, “there are no signs that security consultations are being delayed because of them.”
He also noted that talks surrounding South Korea’s pledge to invest $350 billion in the United States are still moving forward, though no concrete results have emerged yet. Wi described investment as the most significant issue in the current bilateral relationship.
On the trade front, Wi said South Korea believes Washington could impose additional tariffs under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act, tied to concerns about forced labor.
“Our general understanding is that even if Section 301 measures are taken, they would not exceed the broader tariff rate being discussed between South Korea and the United States,” he said.
Last year, Washington reduced its tariff on South Korean goods to 15%, down from a threatened 25%, after Seoul committed to the $350 billion investment package along with $100 billion in energy purchases.
South Korea’s Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan departed for Washington on Wednesday to meet with senior U.S. officials about trade and investment cooperation, according to his ministry.
Wi also said Seoul is keeping a close eye on a nuclear energy agreement between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, noting it could carry indirect consequences for South Korea.
He said there were no barriers to ongoing security discussions with Washington, including talks on uranium enrichment and spent-fuel reprocessing. Both sides held meetings in June and are now preparing for a second round, Wi said.
“If necessary, we are also prepared to go to the United States for discussions,” he added.
