U.S. lawmaker warns of 'consequences' for hostile actions against U.S. firms after talks with Seoul official

▲ South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo (R) shakes hands with Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) as they meet for talks at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 12, 2026, in this photo provided by Seoul's industry ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

US lawmaker-Coupang

U.S. lawmaker warns of 'consequences' for hostile actions against U.S. firms after talks with Seoul official

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (Yonhap) -- A U.S. lawmaker said Monday that there are "consequences" for state-sponsored "hostile actions" toward American companies after he met with South Korea's Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo amid intense scrutiny of e-commerce giant Coupang Inc. in Seoul over a massive data leak.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) made the remarks in a social media post following the meeting with Yeo, who was in Washington as part of efforts to address U.S. concerns over Korea's regulatory efforts about online platforms, as well as the data leak incident surrounding Coupang, a U.S.-listed firm.

"My bottom line: There are consequences for state-sponsored hostile actions towards American companies and American citizens," Issa wrote on X, apparently suggesting that U.S. tech firms are unfairly treated in South Korea.

Issa also said that during a "good" discussion with Yeo, he made clear that the "unjustified targeting of American technology companies and unfair treatment of Coupang by the Lee administration are not acceptable, especially from a friend of 70 years."

"Korea is a vital ally, but I will work with my colleagues in Congress and the Trump Administration to ensure that U.S. companies are not mistreated, that American exporters have access to foreign markets, and that countries like Korea keep the commitments they have made in recent trade and investment agreements," the lawmaker said.

Yeo arrived in Washington after the State Department expressed "significant concerns" last month over a recently passed revision to the Information and Communications Network Act aimed at tackling false and fabricated online information, which critics say could affect U.S. online companies.

His trip also came as Coupang has been under public scrutiny and criticism in Korea following revelations that about 33 million customer accounts were accessed in the data leak case, including names, phone numbers, email addresses and other details.

In a separate post, Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI) said that he was "appalled" at the Korean government's actions to call for criminal charges against U.S. executives of Coupang, arguing that the move is based on a "politically motivated witch hunt."

"The United States government will continue to pursue measures to hold the Korean government accountable for their disturbing treatment of American companies," he said.

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