The US State Department said it holds "serious concerns that the amendment could undermine freedom of expression," as a revised Network Act (Information and Communications Network Act) took effect on the 7th.
On the 8th, in response to a query from Korean media about its position on the enforcement of the revised Network Act, the State Department said in a statement issued under a spokesperson's name, "We have serious concerns that the amendment to the Network Act could lead to excessive content regulation and undermine freedom of expression." It added, "Korea should not impose excessive burdens on American companies and should not use the enforcement of the law as a means of censorship against freedom of expression." The department also said, "We hope there will be continued dialogue between (the Korean government) and American tech companies." The Donald Trump administration had publicly expressed concerns even before the Network Act took effect, and this amounted to another round of pressure timed to the law's enforcement.
In Washington political circles, voices of caution over Korea's digital-related policies and its sanctions on Coupang have emerged, led by the Republican Party. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), who frequently speaks with US President Trump by phone, retweeted content related to a recent House Judiciary Committee report pointing to the treatment of Coupang on X (formerly Twitter) on the same day and wrote, "Korea's left-wing government is said to be unfairly targeting an American company." He stressed, "I urge Korea to resolve these issues promptly so that we (Korea and the US) can return to our shared goal of responding to China's offensive." Some within the Korean government reportedly took note of the fact that the Judiciary Committee report was mentioned by a White House official.
However, Kang Kyung-wha, Korea's Ambassador to the US, said regarding the Coupang issue, "A consensus has formed between the two governments to manage this in a stable manner so that it does not become a burden on Korea-US relations." At a press meeting with correspondents held at the Korean Embassy in Washington, DC, Ambassador Kang added, "On the Coupang issue, we will clearly and consistently explain the government's position through continued consultations with the US side." The government is preparing rebuttals to the House Judiciary Committee report, including details of personal data leak damages, from the Korean government agencies cited in the report, and plans to compile and deliver them to the Judiciary Committee once complete.
