US firms fear discrimination in Korea as Coupang case fuels Washington backlash

Tami Overby, former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, said that the dispute over Coupang’s data-breach penalties is becoming a litmus test for how Seoul treats U.S. businesses. She warned that perceived discrimination could erode the confidence underpinning a $350 billion investment commitment and the contested Alaska LNG venture. Overby noted that Korean regulators, including the Fair Trade Commission and the Personal Information Protection Commission, have taken actions against Coupang and other American firms, which Washington views as a systemic issue.

She also highlighted concerns about Korea’s upcoming digital platform law and the Cloud Security Assurance Program, which may limit U.S. cloud providers. While Seoul insists its actions are law-based, Overby argues that cumulative patterns risk undermining the joint pledge made last November to avoid discriminatory barriers. The growing political sensitivity in Washington includes calls from some lawmakers for stronger responses, underscoring the stakes for the broader U.S.-Korea economic partnership.