Coupang Data Leak Probe: Is it Triggering a Korea-US Trade Dispute?

Could a domestic regulatory investigation escalate into a full-blown international trade row? Coupang, the U.S.-listed e-commerce giant, finds itself at the center of a geopolitical tug-of-war after an unprecedented data breach. While Seoul insists it's strictly about legal accountability, Washington's alarm bells are ringing over potential corporate discrimination.

Why the Coupang Data Leak Probe Stirred Trade Tensions

According to Yonhap, Cheong Wa Dae clarified on Jan 18, 2026, that the ongoing probe into Coupang Inc. shouldn't be interpreted as a trade issue with the USA. The case centers on a massive leak of personal information affecting roughly 34 million customers late last year, an event the government describes as 'unprecedented' in scale.

The company, founded by Korean American entrepreneur Bom Kim, generates about 90% of its revenue in South Korea. Despite its deep local roots, its U.S. listing has prompted American lawmakers to claim that Korean regulators are unfairly targeting U.S. tech firms. In response, Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo traveled to Washington earlier this week to reassure officials that the investigation follows standard legal protocols.

Diplomacy vs. Domestic Law Enforcement

A senior presidential official stated that interpreting the matter as a diplomatic issue would be inappropriate. They've pledged to continue explaining their position to the USA to prevent any escalation into a broader trade dispute. Meanwhile, the probe continues as authorities look into how such a massive volume of data was compromised.