Seoul, April 23 — South Korea's foreign ministry has firmly stated that it is fully honoring its commitment to not discriminate against US digital companies, directly countering allegations from 54 Republican congressional members who accused Seoul of launching a "targeted assault" on American firms operating in the country.

Republican Letter Triggers Diplomatic Response

The diplomatic tension escalated after the Republican Study Committee sent a formal letter to South Korean Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha, demanding that Seoul immediately halt what lawmakers described as unwarranted and discriminatory regulatory actions against US-based companies. The letter specifically highlighted Coupang Inc., the US-listed e-commerce giant, as a primary target of Seoul's alleged overreach.

The Republican lawmakers argued that South Korean authorities were using a "low-sensitivity" data breach incident as a pretext to unfairly penalize Coupang. The breach involved the personal data of more than 33 million users, making it one of the largest data security incidents tied to a foreign-listed platform in South Korea's recent history.

Seoul's Official Position on Coupang Investigation

The South Korean foreign ministry issued a pointed rebuttal, emphasizing that its actions are grounded in domestic law and due process. "The government has been fully implementing its commitment to not subject US digital companies to discriminatory actions or unnecessary barriers, in line with the leaders' agreements outlined in the South Korea-US joint fact sheet. This includes Coupang," the ministry stated.

The ministry further clarified: "The investigation and measures concerning Coupang are being carried out in accordance with domestic law and due process, and are conducted in a non-discriminatory manner regardless of nationality." Seoul also confirmed it has communicated these positions to the US Congress and will continue to do so through appropriate diplomatic channels.

Nuclear Submarine Talks Drawn Into the Dispute

The controversy has taken on a broader geopolitical dimension, with mounting speculation in South Korea that Washington may have signaled that security discussions — particularly Seoul's long-standing push for nuclear-powered submarines — could stall unless Seoul guarantees the personal safety of Coupang Chairman Kim Bom-suk.

Seoul has categorically rejected this linkage, asserting that security cooperation talks are entirely separate from the Coupang regulatory matter. The foreign ministry reiterated its intent to continue consulting with Washington to prevent the commercial dispute from casting a shadow over the broader bilateral security framework.

Context: South Korea-US Summit Agreements

The non-discrimination pledge at the center of this dispute stems from agreements reached during a South Korea-US leaders' summit, documented in a jointly released fact sheet. The commitment was designed to reassure American digital and technology companies operating in South Korea that they would not face regulatory barriers beyond those applied to domestic firms.

The Coupang case, however, has exposed tensions between Seoul's regulatory sovereignty and Washington's expectation that summit-level assurances will shield US corporations from legal scrutiny — even in cases involving massive consumer data exposure.

What Happens Next

As diplomatic exchanges continue, the outcome of this dispute could set a significant precedent for how South Korea handles regulatory actions against foreign-listed companies with deep operational ties to the country. Observers will closely watch whether the Coupang data breach investigation proceeds to formal penalties, and whether Washington escalates pressure through additional congressional or executive-level intervention. The next round of South Korea-US security consultations will be a key indicator of whether this commercial dispute has genuinely affected the bilateral strategic relationship.