Coupang Defends US Lobbying as Standard Practice Among Multinationals

Coupang has defended its lobbying activities in the United States, describing the spending as a legal and routine practice undertaken by multinational companies operating in Washington. The e-commerce group issued the statement in response to mounting political criticism at home over the disclosures.

The company argued that engaging registered lobbyists is a standard part of doing business in the US regulatory and legislative environment. It stressed that such expenditures are fully permitted under American law and are reported through the required transparency channels.

Coupang also sought to place the figures in context, saying its outlays were small relative to those of Korea's major conglomerates that maintain a footprint in the American market. The comparison appeared aimed at countering suggestions that the company's spending was unusually large or improper.

The rebuttal followed calls from Korean lawmakers for an apology, with legislators questioning the scale and purpose of the payments and pressing the company to explain its dealings in Washington. The scrutiny reflects broader political sensitivity in Seoul over the conduct of firms with dual roots in Korea and the United States.

Coupang, listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker CPNG, operates one of South Korea's largest online retail and delivery networks while maintaining significant corporate and investor ties in the US. Its cross-border structure has repeatedly placed it at the center of debates over regulation and accountability.

The dispute underscores the delicate position of globally structured Korean companies that must navigate the political expectations of two markets simultaneously. How Coupang manages the fallout could shape further parliamentary attention to corporate lobbying practices in the months ahead.