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Photo courtesy of Coupang |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang, largely unfamiliar to most Americans as a consumer brand, has become an increasingly visible player in Washington through aggressive lobbying and political engagement, according to a report by Politico.
In an article published Wednesday, Politico said Coupang has significantly expanded its presence in U.S. politics since the launch of the Trump administration, stepping up lobbying efforts and cultivating ties with key political figures. Following its 2021 listing on the New York Stock Exchange, Coupang moved its headquarters to Seattle and hired former White House and congressional officials to strengthen its identity as a U.S.-based company.
Coupang reported lobbying expenditures of $3.3 million in 2024—more than double the combined total of the previous two years—and an additional $2.27 million in 2025. The company has also made sizable political donations, including a $1 million contribution to President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee, which allowed founder Bom Kim to attend inauguration events. In 2025, Coupang donated around $200,000 to Democratic and Republican lawmakers and campaign committees, including members involved in trade policy.
Coupang’s political action committee, established in 2024, also donated $100,000 to the Kennedy Center, a venue later rebranded under a board aligned with the Trump administration. The company has reportedly engaged lobbying firms connected to influential figures such as House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and former Vice President Mike Pence.
A former adviser quoted by Politico described Coupang’s approach as “very aggressive,” saying the company seeks to influence “every possible channel” in Washington policy discussions.
The report also noted that debates surrounding Coupang—particularly a data breach case in South Korea—have become entangled with broader U.S.-Korea trade tensions. Some Republican lawmakers have cited Coupang as an example of a U.S. company allegedly being unfairly targeted by Korean authorities, though U.S. officials involved in trade talks cautioned against directly linking the issue to trade negotiations.
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
