Headquarters of Coupang / Courtesy of Coupang
Coupang has strongly denied recent allegations that it sought to pressure the South Korean government through lobbying activities targeting the U.S. administration and Congress.
In a statement released on April 24, the company said the claims circulating domestically are “not true,” adding that assertions suggesting discussions related to national security are “clearly false.”
According to Coupang, its lobbying efforts have focused on economic cooperation between countries, including expanding trade and investment opportunities involving South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan, as well as improving visa access for Korean professionals in the United States. The company emphasized that no security-related issues were included in its lobbying agenda.
Coupang also said it has been concentrating on communication efforts aimed at fostering artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, promoting cross-border commerce, and creating jobs through international collaboration, particularly between South Korea and the United States.
The company further noted that its lobbying expenditures remain relatively modest compared with those of major U.S. corporations and large South Korean conglomerates.
Public filings under the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) show that Coupang Inc., the company’s U.S.-based parent, reported lobbying expenditures of approximately $1.09 million (about 1.6 billion won) in the first quarter of this year.
The disclosures indicate that lobbying activities targeted a broad range of U.S. government entities, including both chambers of Congress, as well as key federal agencies such as the Department of State, Department of the Treasury, Department of Commerce, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of Agriculture, and the Small Business Administration. Engagements also extended to the Office of the Vice President and the White House.
Coupang reiterated that its lobbying activities are conducted within legal frameworks and align with standard practices among global corporations, stressing that the company remains focused on expanding economic cooperation rather than engaging in political or security-related influence.
Lee Jun-sung
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