As the fallout from the massive personal data leak widens, on the 23rd (local time) the U.S. Congress summoned Coupang's acting representative Harold Rogers for a closed-door listening session. Coupang expressed regret over the situation and issued a statement saying it hopes it "can be helpful to the interests of both countries."
On this day, Robert Porter, Coupang Inc.'s chief global affairs officer, said, "We regret the situation in Korea that has led to a listening session in the U.S. House. We are still working to find a constructive resolution."
He added, "We hope Coupang can serve as a bridge between the United States and the Republic of Korea, and through this, improve economic ties, strengthen the security alliance, and boost trade and investment so that it can simultaneously benefit both countries' interests."
Earlier, Rogers, Coupang's acting representative, appeared for closed-door testimony before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee in a committee room at the Rayburn Building in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The inquiry was held under the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust. On the 5th, House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan and Subcommittee Chair Scott Fitzgerald issued a subpoena requiring Rogers to appear for testimony.
In a letter, the Judiciary Committee requested all materials related to communications with the Korean government and written materials on how the Korean government's investigations and other actions would affect Coupang's business. It argued, "Despite trade agreements that require ensuring U.S. corporations are not discriminated against, Korean regulators have repeatedly subjected them to discriminatory treatment, unfair enforcement, and even threats of criminal penalties."
The U.S. government has also argued that online platform-related bills introduced in Korea's National Assembly recently and the newly enacted Act to Eradicate False or Manipulated Information (amendment to the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection) constitute discriminatory measures against U.S. corporations. This is a development to watch for its potential impact on U.S. trade policy, including tariff.