The two officials met at the White House for about 50 minutes, exceeding the originally scheduled 40 minutes, as the Coupang dispute emerged as a thorny issue in bilateral relations. Kim's solo visit to Washington marked the first such trip by a South Korean prime minister in 41 years.
Kim said Vance expressed understanding of the legal issues involved but requested that both governments manage the situation carefully to prevent misunderstandings. The prime minister agreed to share developments with Washington promptly.
The meeting came a day after two U.S. investment firms holding Coupang shares urged the U.S. Trade Representative to take action against South Korea's handling of the company. The investors accused Seoul of discriminatory enforcement following a data breach that affected a significant number of Korean customers.
Kim dismissed allegations that he had singled out Coupang for harsh treatment, providing Vance with an English translation of his original remarks to demonstrate they had been quoted out of context. The investors had claimed Kim urged regulators to pursue the company with the same resolve used to "take down the mafia."
"No discriminatory treatment was given to any American company," Kim said during a press briefing at the South Korean Embassy in Washington after the meeting.
The prime minister also rejected characterizations by Coupang investors that President Lee Jae Myung holds anti-American and pro-China sentiments, expressing confidence that the Trump administration would not accept such claims.
Kim said the strength of the alliance has grown beyond being susceptible to lobbying by any single company seeking to distort facts about discrimination that does not exist.
The two officials also discussed of North Korea, with Vance asking for Seoul's perspective on how Washington might improve relations with Pyongyang. Kim suggested sending a special envoy to North Korea as one possible approach.
Other topics included bilateral shipbuilding cooperation, South Korea's interest in nuclear-powered submarines, and uranium enrichment. Vance acknowledged bureaucratic delays on both sides and agreed to set concrete timelines for implementing summit agreements.
Kim said he extended an invitation for Vance to visit South Korea, and the two exchanged direct phone numbers to establish a hotline. President Donald Trump, who had just returned from Davos, was unable to join the meeting but sent his regards to President Lee through Vance.
reporter
Kim Dong-young
davekim0807@ajupress.com
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