[Anchor]

It has been revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump held shares in Coupang. He bought and sold Coupang stock 18 times during his term. While Trump claims that "investment decisions are made by asset managers," transactions occurred even when the U.S. government issued messages favorable to Coupang.

Reporter Kim Minpyo has the story.

[Reporter]

This is President Trump's financial disclosure report.

He began buying and selling Coupang shares starting last October, nearly nine months into his second term.

High-ranking U.S. officials report their assets in value ranges rather than exact amounts. On October 9, he purchased Coupang shares in two separate transactions: one valued between $1,001 and $15,000, and another between $50,000 and $100,000. On October 16, he sold a portion valued between $15,001 and $50,000.

Through such repeated partial buying and selling, he traded Coupang shares 18 times up until the time of his disclosure this past May.

Transactions took place even during periods when Coupang was drawing attention in the U.S., such as during the Coupang hearing in South Korea last December, and when claims were made in the U.S. this February that the South Korean government was treating Coupang with discrimination.

The remaining Coupang shares are worth up to approximately 200 million won.

However, looking at the stock price trend, it is estimated that he did not make a significant profit.

The financial disclosure also notes that income from the Coupang stock investment was either "none or less than $201" for each transaction.

President Trump draws a line regarding conflicts of interest, stating that stock trading during his term is handled by asset managers and that he does not participate in investment decisions.

[Donald Trump / U.S. President (on the 1st): I intentionally never talk to the people who manage my money. They belong to large institutions, and they invest in whatever they see fit. I have no idea.]

However, critics point out that the mere fact that he held shares in a company that has become a major issue in South Korea-U.S. trade relations can be viewed as a conflict of interest.

Criticism also continues regarding his failure to divest or place assets that could pose a conflict of interest into a blind trust.

Furthermore, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai reported receiving $10,000 in speaking and consulting fees from Coupang before taking office, further confirming the extensive contact between key U.S. government officials and Coupang.

(Video Editing: Kim Jong-mi)