Lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea, Rebuilding Korea Party, Jinbo Party and Social Democratic Party hold a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday, condemning what they described as undue pressure from U.S. House Republican lawmakers over the issue involving a massive data leak at e-commerce giant Coupang. A total of 90 lawmakers signed a protest letter and planned to deliver it to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. Yonhap
A total of 90 Korean lawmakers on Tuesday condemned what they described as U.S. political pressure over a local investigation into e-commerce giant Coupang, calling it “an infringement on judicial sovereignty” and “interference in domestic affairs.”
Rep. Park Hong-bae of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and other lawmakers held a press conference at the National Assembly, saying 90 legislators had signed a joint protest letter to be delivered to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul later in the day.
The move follows a recent letter sent by 54 House Republican lawmakers, who claimed Korean government and law enforcement authorities' investigation into Coupang's massive data leak case was discriminatory against the U.S.-headquartered company. A media report also said Washington asked Seoul to legally guarantee the safety of Coupang founder Kim Bom-suk, also known as Bom Kim, otherwise it would not proceed with security discussions with Seoul.
Members from the Democratic Party of Korea, Rebuilding Korea Party, Jinbo Party and Social Democratic Party argued that intervention by foreign lawmakers in a domestic corporate investigation, as well as attempts to link the issue to broader diplomatic or security cooperation, undermines the rule of law.
“Matters arising in Korea must be handled under Korean law and procedures,” Park said, warning that yielding to such demands could set a precedent for multinational firms to influence legal processes through diplomatic channels.
Park said the issue goes beyond a dispute involving a single company, stressing that “no individual or company can be above the law.”
“Korea's judicial sovereignty is not subject to negotiations,” he said.
During the briefing, several lawmakers shared these concerns, warning that allowing foreign political figures to influence domestic investigations could set an undesirable precedent.
Rep. Song Jae-bong of the DPK said the Korea-U.S. alliance “cannot serve as a shield to protect a corporate leader from legal responsibility,” adding that enforcing domestic law is a basic duty of a sovereign state.
Source: Korea Times News
