Harold Rogers, acting CEO of Coupang's Korean subsidiary, arrives at the Rayburn Building for a closed-door deposition before the House Judiciary Committee on February 23, 2026, concerning the investigation into U.S. companies in Korea. [Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Sipa USA]

The U.S. House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Monday, the 23rd, summoning Harold Rogers, acting head of Coupang Korea, for testimony that lasted approximately seven hours.

Committee members, including Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), reportedly focused their questioning on data privacy breaches and what they described as "discriminatory and unfair treatment" of Coupang and U.S. IT companies by the South Korean government.

The hearing drew attention as it took place after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled President Donald Trump's retaliatory tariffs unlawful, and the President had warned of further action.

The Trump administration announced a global tariff of 15% based on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which also includes retaliatory measures known as Section 301.

Section 301 allows the U.S. government to impose retaliatory tariffs or take import restriction measures against unfair or discriminatory trade practices by foreign governments.

Rogers attended the closed-door hearing, which began at 10 a.m. at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington D.C., and did not leave the hearing room until after 5 p.m.

He was inundated with questions from the press before and after his testimony but did not respond.

The investigation is reportedly aimed at assessing the South Korean government's "discriminatory" actions against major U.S. IT companies, including Coupang.

As major U.S. IT companies are considering large-scale investments in South Korea, such as establishing AI data centers, the U.S. administration and Congress have urged South Korea to prohibit discrimination against U.S. companies and remove unnecessary barriers.

The Judiciary Committee demanded the submission of all communication records between Coupang and South Korean government entities such as the National Assembly, the Presidential Office, the Fair Trade Commission, and the Ministry of Science and ICT. Coupang reportedly submitted thousands of documents prior to the investigation.

Attention is focused on the possibility that the Trump administration's pressure on South Korea could reach its peak if the committee releases a report or proposes specific legislation.

U.S. NNP = Sung Ku Hong, Chief Editor / Special Correspondent NNP info@newsandpost.com