Harold Rogers, interim CEO of Coupang's Korean subsidiary, appeared before a US House of Representatives hearing but refused to answer questions.
Rogers attended a closed-door deposition at the House Judiciary Committee hearing room in Washington, DC on Wednesday. When asked "What will you discuss today?" and "Do you have anything to say to Korean consumers?" Rogers entered the hearing room stone-faced without responding. He arrived at approximately 9:40 a.m. for the testimony scheduled at 10 a.m., accompanied by several individuals who appeared to be security personnel. Earlier, staff members were seen entering the hearing room carrying boxes apparently containing documents.
The House Judiciary Committee is expected to question Rogers about the Korean government's investigations into Coupang. Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman Scott Fitzgerald had previously requested Rogers submit all communications with Korean government agencies, including the Korea Fair Trade Commission and the National Intelligence Service, spanning six years from 2020 to the present.
As this was a closed-door testimony, the committee may hold public hearings featuring Rogers and others in the future.
A House Judiciary Committee spokesperson previously stated: "Foreign governments are targeting innovative American companies. We have already seen this in Europe, and now we are seeing Korea sanction Coupang to benefit domestic competitors. Congress must investigate these allegations and develop legislation to prevent discriminatory law enforcement and protect American interests."
The Coupang matter may influence a potential investigation into South Korea under Section 301 of the US Trade Act. Last month, US investment firms GreenOaks and Altimeter, which hold stakes in Coupang, filed a petition requesting an investigation under Section 301, alleging discriminatory treatment of Coupang by the Korean government. The USTR can initiate investigations based on industry petitions or its own determination that a country engages in unfair trade practices, followed by consultations with the country in question. If issues remain unresolved after consultations, tariffs and other measures may be imposed.
Following the Supreme Court's ruling on the illegality of reciprocal tariffs, USTR Representative Jamieson Greer stated he would "address discrimination against US technology companies and digital goods and services, as well as digital services taxes, targeting major trading partner countries."
