전자상거래 기업 쿠팡은 11월 데이터 유출 논란 이후 미국 정부에 한국 정부 압박을 요청했다는 주장을 부인했다. 회사는 로비 활동이 보안 문제와 무관하며 경제 협력과 비자 확대에 초점을 맞췄다고 밝혔다.
서울=연합뉴스, 24일 쿠팡은 미국 로비 공개법(LDA)에 따른 보고서를 인용하며, 로비 활동이 서울과 워싱턴 간 경제 협력 촉진, 한국인 미국 취업을 위한 전문 비자 확대 등에 집중됐다고 설명했다.
회사는 한국, 대만, 일본에서의 투자 및 상업 활동 확대 계획을 미국 당국과 논의했으나 보안 문제는 다루지 않았다고 강조했다. 쿠팡은 AI 혁신, 투자, 일자리 창출, 국경 간 상거래를 우선순위로 삼았다고 덧붙였다.
1~3월 로비 비용으로 16억원(109만달러)을 지출했으며, 주요 미국 기업들은 쿠팡보다 3~4배 더 많이 쓴다고 쿠팡은 밝혔다. "미국과 한국 기업의 로비 활동은 법적 틀 안에서 이뤄진다"고 회사는 입장을 밝혔다.
AI에 의해 보고됨 AI에 의해 생성된 이미지
U.S. lobbying reports show Coupang spent $1.09 million in the first quarter targeting the White House, Vice President, and Congress. This follows a major data leak scandal in South Korea last November. Though headquartered in Seattle and U.S.-incorporated, the company primarily operates in Korea.
In the latest escalation of tensions over South Korea's probe into Coupang's massive data breach, more than 80 ruling bloc lawmakers plan to send a joint letter protesting the US government's defense of the e-commerce giant, arguing it infringes on judicial sovereignty. The letter responds to recent US complaints, including demands for the safety of Coupang's chairman and a letter from over 50 Republican lawmakers.
AI에 의해 보고됨
Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said Wednesday that the government's probe into Coupang's South Korean unit is being conducted under legal principles without discrimination, refuting criticism from U.S. political circles. The statement came after the U.S. House Judiciary Committee launched an investigation into what it called South Korea's discriminatory targeting of American companies. The probe follows a massive data breach at Coupang affecting over 33.6 million accounts.
Former Coupang CEO Park Dae-jun appeared before police on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, for questioning over allegations of perjury during a December 2025 parliamentary hearing. He is accused of giving false testimony about an alleged cover-up of a worker's death at a Coupang logistics center. Park resigned in December 2025 amid a massive data leak compromising 33 million customers' information.
AI에 의해 보고됨
Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo stated upon returning from a weeklong US trip on February 5, 2026, that South Korea will continue close consultations with the United States to avert a tariff hike threatened by President Donald Trump. The move follows Trump's surprise announcement to raise reciprocal tariffs and auto duties on Korea to 25 percent, citing delays in Seoul's legislative process for their bilateral trade deal. Yeo highlighted ongoing efforts to legislate a special bill and address non-tariff issues.