South Korea's fine on Coupang deepens US‑Korea tensions

South Korean regulators imposed a 625 billion‑won (about $423 million) fine on e‑commerce giant Coupang after a data leak that affected more than 33 million customers. The United States has voiced concern that the penalty discriminates against an American‑owned company, with the House Judiciary Committee accusing Seoul of weaponising its regulations.

Seoul officials, including Ambassador Kang Kyung‑wha and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Il, say the investigation is lawful, non‑discriminatory and separate from broader security discussions, such as South Korea’s $350 billion investment pledge to the United States and plans to acquire nuclear‑powered submarines. The dispute therefore threatens aspects of the bilateral alliance beyond the immediate consumer‑protection case.