Coupang has responded to reports of its lobbying activities in the United States, asserting that these efforts are legal under the U.S. Constitution.
In a statement released on July 16, Coupang expressed disappointment that it is portrayed as the only company engaging in lobbying while many multinational corporations participate in similar activities in the U.S.
Coupang cited data from the lobbying tracking site OpenSecrets, noting that last year, 15,768 organizations, including global companies, communicated with the U.S. government, the White House, and Congress either directly or through lobbying firms. The company emphasized that it is one of many businesses and organizations operating within legal and established guidelines.
Coupang also stated that its lobbying expenditures are relatively modest compared to other companies. In the first quarter, Coupang's lobbying spending was about one-tenth of the $7.08 million spent by other tech firms, and it is less than that of major South Korean conglomerates.
The company clarified that its lobbying aims to enhance global exports and facilitate trade investments. Coupang highlighted its investment of over 6 trillion won in South Korea, creating more than 90,000 jobs by establishing over 100 logistics centers in 30 regions. It is also focused on communication regarding the expansion of global business exports, including its services in Taiwan and luxury e-commerce in 190 countries.
Previously, on July 15, the U.S. Senate released data under the Lobbying Disclosure Act, revealing that Coupang paid $250,000 (approximately 370 million won) to the lobbying firm Ballard Partners in the second quarter.
The lobbying targets included the White House, the U.S. President's office, the House of Representatives, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). Brian Ballard, the head of Ballard Partners, is known for his close ties to President Donald Trump and has been expanding his influence in Washington, D.C., since Trump's re-election campaign.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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