On Wednesday, the Prime Minister’s Office refuted claims by Jang Dong Hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, who said that U.S. Vice President JD Vance was the first to question the Coupang situation.
The Prime Minister’s Office issued a press release that morning to counter these assertions following Jang’s speech at the National Assembly.
They clarified that, as they had previously explained, Vice President Vance had inquired about the Coupang issue during his January 23 meeting with Prime Minister Kim Min Seok, doing so respectfully and acknowledging Korea’s legal system. They added that after hearing Han’s explanation, she expressed understanding of the situation.
The office further emphasized that portraying the Coupang issue as a flashpoint for U.S.-Korea trade negotiations is misleading and potentially dangerous. They stated that such remarks are inaccurate and diplomatically inappropriate, potentially harming U.S.-Korea relations.
Earlier in his speech, Han claimed that Vice President Harris had first questioned him about the Coupang situation, suggesting that the issue had escalated beyond a single company’s problem to become a potential trigger for trade friction.