Ambassador Kang Returns to Seoul to Resolve Coupang Trade Dispute

South Korean Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha returned to Seoul on Wednesday, July 15, for consultations with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and the presidential National Security Office. The visit aims to resolve diplomatic, security, and trade frictions, primarily a dispute involving the U.S.-headquartered e-commerce firm Coupang Inc. The conflict follows a U.S. House Judiciary Committee report accusing the South Korean government of "discriminatory attacks" and "unfair treatment" toward the company following a data breach affecting 33.7 million member accounts.

Ambassador Kang noted that the issue is dragging on longer than expected and intends to bridge the perspective gap between Washington and Seoul. While the Foreign Ministry and Cheong Wa Dae describe the trip as routine policy discussions, opposition parties suggest it indicates diplomatic disharmony. The two governments have shared an understanding that the Coupang Inc. dispute should be managed stably to avoid burdening the broader bilateral relationship.

Beyond the trade dispute, the consultations cover several critical security and economic agendas. These include a proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump for South Korea to build 10 warships for the U.S. Navy, negotiations over the transfer of wartime operational control, and nuclear fuel reprocessing. Additionally, South Korea's industry ministry is coordinating with the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding American pressure for South Korea to accelerate investments in the United States.