Kang Kyung-wha, South Korea's ambassador to the United States, stated on July 8 that there is a mutual understanding between the two governments to manage the ongoing claims of discrimination against Coupang in a way that does not burden the South Korea-U.S. relationship.
During a press briefing at the South Korean embassy in Washington, D.C., Kang said, "We will clearly and consistently explain our government's position through ongoing consultations with the U.S. regarding the Coupang issue."
The concerns regarding Coupang have recently resurfaced in U.S. political circles, but both governments share a common stance to prevent the situation from escalating into a conflict.
The South Korean government maintains that it does not discriminate against companies based on nationality and asserts that a recent report from the National Assembly's Legal Affairs Committee only reflects the claims made by Coupang. The government plans to compile the positions of the institutions mentioned in the report and submit them to the committee.
Kang also mentioned that she is coordinating the schedule for upcoming discussions to implement agreements made between the leaders of South Korea and the U.S. regarding nuclear energy and submarines. She stated, "We plan to pursue various means of frequent contact with the U.S. to accelerate sector-specific discussions in the future."
Last month, the two countries held their first round of discussions in Seoul, focusing on South Korea's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines and uranium enrichment. However, discussions on the shipbuilding sector could not proceed as the U.S. side needed to prepare further.
Regarding the Section 301 tariff investigation initiated by the Trump administration, Kang emphasized that the balance of interests between the two countries must be maintained according to the existing South Korea-U.S. tariff agreement, and that the U.S. has expressed its intention to adhere to this agreement.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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