Ambassador to the U.S. Kang Kyung-wha: "Coupang Issue Lasting Longer Than Expected; Further Discussions Needed on U.S. Investment Projects"

South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Kang Kyung-wha, who has returned home temporarily for consultations on South Korea-U.S. relations, stated that the Coupang issue is "an issue that is lasting much longer than I had thought."

Speaking to reporters as she entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building today (July 15), Ambassador Kang said, "While managing that issue as it is, we are continuing consultations at various levels to make progress on the matters agreed upon by the two leaders in the joint fact sheet (from the South Korea-U.S. summit)."

When asked if the U.S. side had made any specific demands to the South Korean side, she replied, "There is nothing I can tell you right now," adding, "We are continuing our consultations."

The impact of the Coupang issue on South Korea-U.S. relations appears to be ongoing, following a recent report from the U.S. House Judiciary Committee claiming that the South Korean government is discriminatorily targeting the U.S. company Coupang, as well as remarks from a White House official stating that "the Lee Jae-myung administration is singling out Coupang."

Regarding a question on whether there is pressure from the U.S. to accelerate South Korea's investment in the U.S., Ambassador Kang said, "Our Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the U.S. Department of Commerce are continuing their consultations."

She added, "Since we are trying to identify projects that meet commercial rationality, I think we need a bit more discussion."

Ambassador Kang returned to Korea early this morning under the instruction of Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and is scheduled to stay in Korea until July 19 to hold consultations with relevant ministries regarding South Korea-U.S. relations.

She is holding a private meeting with Minister Cho at the ministry building today to report on pending issues and is also scheduled to meet with National Security Office Director Wi Sung-lac during her stay in Korea.

"The relationship between South Korea and the U.S. is so tightly knit that there are many issues," Ambassador Kang said. "Since there is a difference in the sense of reality between those in Washington D.C. and those at the headquarters (of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), I came here to listen to the thoughts of the headquarters and to convey the sense of reality from the field."

During her stay in Korea, Ambassador Kang is expected to attend a meeting on pending South Korea-U.S. issues, presided over by the Presidential National Security Office, along with officials from relevant ministries.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.