Korea-U.S. showdown over Coupang meddling strains ties

The South Korean Assembly speaker condemns US Republicans’ claim that Seoul discriminates against Coupang. The dispute centers on a letter from 54 lawmakers alleging discriminatory actions against the US-based e-commerce giant under police and government scrutiny. The exchange signals tensions over domestic policy affecting a high-profile corporation and transatlantic relations.

The core development is blunt: South Korea and the United States are entangled in a reputational and diplomatic clash over Coupang. Speakers in Seoul condemned a US legislative push that accuses Seoul of discrimination against the US-based firm. The letter from 54 Republican lawmakers to the Korean ambassador asserts unfair and discriminatory actions, even as Coupang faces police scrutiny and government review. The dispute marks a rare instance of economic-legal friction becoming a battleground for alliance politics.