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.
More than 80 lawmakers from South Korea's ruling bloc—including the Democratic Party (DP), Rebuilding Korea Party, and Jinbo Party—plan to send a joint letter to the US government, co-signed by 83 lawmakers. It will be delivered to the US Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday after a National Assembly press conference, political sources said Monday.
This follows earlier US investor actions in January, where Coupang shareholders notified Seoul of intent to pursue investor-state arbitration under the KORUS FTA, claiming discriminatory treatment in the probe into the November 2025 data breach. Washington has since complained about the handling of the US-listed firm, with some officials demanding guarantees for the personal safety of Chairman Kim Bom-suk or risk suspending bilateral consultations—a move described as a 'clear infringement on judicial sovereignty.'
The lawmakers also cited a recent letter from more than 50 US Republican lawmakers to South Korean Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha, urging an end to the 'targeted assault' on American companies. 'There is a high risk this could go beyond a simple diplomatic rift or controversy over an infringement of sovereignty to have a negative impact on South Korea's labor rights and fair economic order,' they warned in the request circulated by DP Reps. Kim Nam-geun, Park Hong-bae, and others.
