Ambassador to the U.S. Kang Kyung-wha responding to questions from reporters. (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Shin Jun-hee = Ambassador to the U.S. Kang Kyung-wha, who returned to Korea temporarily under the instructions of Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, responds to questions from reporters while entering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 15th for a meeting with Minister Cho. 2026.7.15 hama@yna.co.krSouth Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Kang Kyung-wha, who has returned to Korea temporarily for consultations on South Korea-U.S. relations, stated regarding the Coupang issue that it is "a much longer-lasting issue than I had initially anticipated."

Upon entering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building on the 15th, Ambassador Kang met with reporters and stated, "While managing that issue separately, we are continuing consultations at various levels to make progress on the matters agreed upon by both leaders in the joint fact sheet (from the South Korea-U.S. summit)."

When asked whether the U.S. had made any specific demands to the South Korean side, she replied, "There is nothing I can disclose at this moment," adding, "We are continuing our discussions."

Recently, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee released a report alleging that the South Korean government is discriminately targeting the U.S. company Coupang, and a White House official made remarks stating that "the Lee Jae-myung administration is singling out Coupang," suggesting that the Coupang issue continues to have an impact on South Korea-U.S. relations.

When asked if there was pressure from the U.S. side to accelerate South Korea's investment in the U.S., Ambassador Kang said, "Our Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the U.S. Department of Commerce are continuing their consultations."

She added, "Since we are trying to identify projects that meet commercial viability, I believe further discussion is necessary."

Ambassador Kang returned to Korea today at the instruction of Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and is scheduled to stay until the 19th to hold discussions with relevant government departments regarding South Korea-U.S. relations. Later that day, she is set to hold a private meeting with Minister Cho at the ministry building to report on current issues.

Ambassador Kang remarked, "The relationship between South Korea and the U.S. is so intricate that there are many issues," adding, "Since the perspective on the ground differs between those in Washington D.C. and those at headquarters (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), I came back to listen to the thoughts of the headquarters and convey the realities of the situation on the ground."

During her stay in Korea, Ambassador Kang is expected to attend a meeting hosted by the Blue House National Security Office regarding current issues in South Korea-U.S. relations, alongside officials from relevant ministries, to exchange views. [Yonhap News]