National Security Chief Denies Claims of Targeted Investigation Against Coupang

Wi Sung-lak, the National Security Chief of South Korea, responded to claims made in a recent report by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, stating that the White House alleged the South Korean government is targeting Coupang. He emphasized, "We do not discriminate against corporate activities based on nationality, nor do we target investigations against anyone."

During a briefing at the Cheong Wa Dae on July 3, Wi stated, "The investigation into Coupang is being conducted in accordance with domestic laws and due process, and the report's contents are significantly inaccurate."

He specifically pointed out that 33 million pieces of personal information managed by Coupang were leaked by a former employee of Chinese nationality, criticizing the differing perspectives between the company and the South Korean government on this issue.

"There may be information about Americans living in Korea among the leaked data. However, we have yet to confirm how that information has been used," he noted, adding, "We do not know where the leaked information has gone."

Wi remarked, "If a similar data breach occurred in the U.S. and two-thirds of the personal information of its citizens was leaked to China without knowing where it went, it would undoubtedly be a serious issue in the U.S. as well. This raises significant concerns, which is why we want to conduct an investigation."

Regarding the report from the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, he stated, "It is portrayed as if the Cheong Wa Dae, including the President, was aware in advance that the National Intelligence Service directed the local retrieval of Coupang's equipment, which is entirely false. The Cheong Wa Dae had no prior knowledge or directive regarding the evidence of Coupang's data breach or the retrieval of equipment from China."

He added, "I heard for the first time around mid-December last year that a Coupang representative had retrieved this equipment."

Wi expressed concern that the report seems to reflect a one-sided view from the involved parties, stating, "The company is a subject of investigation and a suspect in Korea. If the U.S. only hears their side, we should also communicate our perspective to be included in the discussion."

When asked whether the Coupang incident would affect Korea-U.S. security discussions, Wi replied, "We will strive to ensure that this matter does not escalate excessively and impact Korea-U.S. relations. We will work to isolate or separate this issue from various other matters between Korea and the U.S."

Park Il, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also stated that the report's claim of the South Korean government conducting discriminatory investigations and unfair regulations against Coupang is inaccurate. He asserted, "The domestic investigation and actions regarding Coupang are being conducted legally and non-discriminatorily under domestic law, and the government guarantees a fair operating environment regardless of a company's nationality."

Previously, on July 1, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee released a 35-page report titled 'Competition Suppression: Discriminatory Attacks on U.S.-Owned Companies in Korea,' alleging that the investigation into Coupang involved discriminatory measures.