Coupang Spent $250,000 on U.S. Lobbying in Second Quarter

Coupang Inc. spent $250,000 lobbying the White House, the House of Representatives and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative during the second quarter of 2026, Yonhap reported. Ballard Partners, a Florida-based firm founded by Brian Ballard, filed the disclosure on the Senate website showing it received the payment for work conducted between April 1 and June 30.

The firm reported lobbying on U.S. export promotion, international economic policy and investment flows. It also addressed efforts to strengthen commercial ties between the United States and allies including South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Britain and the European Union.

The lobbying occurred after the House Judiciary Committee issued an interim staff report on July 1 that accused South Korea of discriminatory attacks on Coupang and other American companies. The report claimed South Korea's treatment of the firms violates last year's bilateral trade deal.

A White House official later stated that Coupang is being singled out by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's administration.

South Korea's foreign ministry expressed regret over the House committee report. It said the document appears to reflect Coupang's claims in a one-sided manner and fails to include Seoul's position or the factual information offered to the committee. -listed company, said lobbying is a lawful activity in the United States.

More than 15,000 companies and organizations, including major multinational corporations, engage in such activities, the company stated in a press release. It added that it is regrettable Coupang Inc. has been portrayed as if it were the only company engaged in lobbying.