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Photo = Coupang |
[Alpha Biz= Ellie Kim] The South Korean government on April 22 dismissed concerns that the recent data leak case involving Coupang could impact bilateral security discussions with the United States, emphasizing that the matter will be handled strictly in accordance with domestic law.
Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo stated during a session of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee that the government is continuing to explain its legal procedures and ensure fair enforcement. “We will carefully manage and communicate to ensure that this issue does not become an obstacle to agreements between the South Korean and U.S. governments,” he said.
A Foreign Ministry official added that, in communications with the U.S. side, Seoul has maintained that security discussions should proceed separately from the Coupang case. “The investigation into Coupang will be conducted in accordance with Korean law and due process,” the official said, noting that the government will continue consultations with Washington to prevent any negative spillover into bilateral security talks.
Working-level discussions on key security issues—such as uranium enrichment, spent fuel reprocessing, and the potential introduction of nuclear-powered submarines—have been delayed. These talks stem from the joint fact sheet agreed upon during last year’s summit between the two countries, but progress has stalled as the U.S. has postponed forming a delegation and scheduling a visit to Korea.
The U.S. government, under its principle that American companies should not face discrimination, has reportedly urged South Korea through various channels to resolve the Coupang issue amicably.
During a visit to Seoul last month, Michael DeSombre, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, also raised the Coupang issue, describing it as a matter that should be managed so as not to hinder bilateral relations or the implementation of the joint fact sheet.
Concerns had emerged that Washington might be using the Coupang issue as leverage to delay security consultations, with reports suggesting that some U.S. officials emphasized the need to ensure the personal safety of Coupang Inc. Chairman Kim Bom-suk as a condition for advancing high-level diplomatic and security talks.
However, such views are understood not to reflect the official stance of the U.S. administration, but rather represent more hardline opinions raised within certain circles in the U.S. Congress, which were conveyed through State Department channels.
Alphabiz Ellie Kim 인턴기자(press@alphabiz.co.kr)
