In a temporary return to South Korea for discussions on U.S.-Korea relations, Kang Kyung-wha, the South Korean Ambassador to the U.S., stated that the issue surrounding Coupang is "more persistent than I had anticipated."
Kang made the remarks on July 15 as she entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, for a meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.
She explained, "We are managing the issue while continuing discussions at various levels on the matters agreed upon by the two leaders in the joint fact sheet from the U.S.-Korea summit."
When asked if the U.S. had made specific demands of South Korea, she replied, "There is nothing I can disclose at this time, but we are continuing our discussions."
Recently, a report from the U.S. House Judiciary Committee claimed that the South Korean government is unfairly targeting the American company Coupang, and a White House official stated that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration is specifically targeting Coupang.
Kang returned to South Korea at the direction of Foreign Minister Cho and plans to stay until July 19 to continue discussions with relevant departments regarding U.S.-Korea relations. She had a closed-door meeting with Cho on the current issues of concern.
In response to a question about U.S. pressure to accelerate South Korea's investment pace, Kang noted, "Our Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the U.S. Department of Commerce are continuing discussions."
She added, "We are trying to identify projects that meet commercial rationality, so I believe further discussions are necessary."
Kang remarked that the U.S.-Korea relationship is complex with many issues, stating, "There are many issues due to the close nature of our relationship. The perspectives of those in Washington, D.C., and those at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters differ, so I came to hear the headquarters' thoughts and convey the on-ground realities."
While in South Korea, Kang is expected to attend a meeting related to U.S.-Korea relations hosted by the National Security Office at the Blue House, along with officials from relevant departments.
Kang made the remarks on July 15 as she entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, for a meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.
She explained, "We are managing the issue while continuing discussions at various levels on the matters agreed upon by the two leaders in the joint fact sheet from the U.S.-Korea summit."
When asked if the U.S. had made specific demands of South Korea, she replied, "There is nothing I can disclose at this time, but we are continuing our discussions."
Recently, a report from the U.S. House Judiciary Committee claimed that the South Korean government is unfairly targeting the American company Coupang, and a White House official stated that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration is specifically targeting Coupang.
Kang returned to South Korea at the direction of Foreign Minister Cho and plans to stay until July 19 to continue discussions with relevant departments regarding U.S.-Korea relations. She had a closed-door meeting with Cho on the current issues of concern.
In response to a question about U.S. pressure to accelerate South Korea's investment pace, Kang noted, "Our Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the U.S. Department of Commerce are continuing discussions."
She added, "We are trying to identify projects that meet commercial rationality, so I believe further discussions are necessary."
Kang remarked that the U.S.-Korea relationship is complex with many issues, stating, "There are many issues due to the close nature of our relationship. The perspectives of those in Washington, D.C., and those at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters differ, so I came to hear the headquarters' thoughts and convey the on-ground realities."
While in South Korea, Kang is expected to attend a meeting related to U.S.-Korea relations hosted by the National Security Office at the Blue House, along with officials from relevant departments.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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