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| ▲ Cheong Wa Dae is seen in this file photo taken Dec. 8, 2025. (Yonhap) |
Cheong Wa Dae-Coupang
Cheong Wa Dae cautions against Coupang probe spilling into trade row with U.S.
SEOUL, Jan. 18 (Yonhap) -- Cheong Wa Dae said Sunday that South Korea's ongoing probe into Coupang Inc. should not be interpreted as part of a broader trade issue with the United States because the case involves an "unprecedented" scale of personal data leakage.
Coupang, a U.S.-listed e-commerce operator, has been under investigation by Korean authorities over a leak of personal information affecting about 34 million customers late last year. The company, founded by Korean American entrepreneur Kim Bom-suk, also known as Bom Kim, generates about 90 percent of its sales in South Korea.
"The Coupang incident involves an unprecedented scale of personal data leakage, and relevant authorities are conducting investigations in line with applicable laws," a senior presidential official said.
"It would be inappropriate to interpret the matter as a Korea-U.S. diplomatic or trade issue, and we plan to continue explaining this position to the U.S. side," the official added.
The remarks came after some U.S. lawmakers claimed that Korean regulators were targeting U.S. technology firms, including Coupang, raising concerns over possible discriminatory actions.
To dispel such concerns, Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with U.S. lawmakers and officials in Washington earlier this week, stressing that it is inappropriate to view the ongoing probe, being conducted in accordance with relevant laws, as a trade issue between Seoul and Washington.
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