Coupang’s headquarters in Seoul’s Songpa District on Dec. 3, 2025. (Yonhap)
Coupang’s multi-million dollar lobbying efforts of the US executive branch and Congress are coming under the microscope in the wake of the company’s leak of customer information.According to a lobbying report made public by the US Senate, Coupang spent US$10.75 million on lobbying activities over a five-year period beginning in August of 2021, following its listing on the New York stock market that March.In addition to the Senate and House of Representatives in the legislative branch, the extensive lobbying also targeted the US Commerce Department, State Department, Department of Agriculture, Treasury Department, Office of the US Trade Representative, White House and National Security Council.The amount spent on lobbying began at US$1.01 million in 2021 before increasing to US$1.81 million in 2022 and US$1.55 million in 2023. In 2024 — a presidential election year in the US — it rose substantially to US$3.87 million. As of the third quarter of this year, the company had spent US$2.51 million on lobbying in 2025.According to reporting for the third quarter of 2025, some of the issues discussed in lobbying included plans for the use of Coupang digital, distribution, and logistics services for US companies and agricultural producers, the promotion of US exports, and stronger commercial relations between the US and allies such as South Korea, Taiwan and Japan.Also drawing attention is Coupang’s engagement of the services of prominent lobbyists.The company has been represented by some of Washington’s top lobbying firms, including Miller Strategies, which is run by Jeff Miller, a longtime associate of US President Donald Trump. Others include Akin Gump, a top-grossing US lobbying firm, and Continental Strategy, whose members include Alberto Martinez, a close associate of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.Alex Nelson Wong, a former deputy national security adviser for US President Donald Trump, worked directly as a lobbyist for Coupang between 2021 and 2024.By Jung Yu-gyung, staff reporterPlease direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]
