House Representative Darrell Issa answers questions from Fox News Digital.

U.S. lawmakers have heavily criticized the South Korean government leadership, labeling it a "leftist government closely aligned with China" and accusing it of "attacking" American companies and favoring Chinese firms, Fox News reported. 

On Tuesday, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Proud to join my Republican House colleagues in sending a clear message to our ally, the Republic of Korea: Stop the unfair targeting of American businesses and American citizens."

In an interview with Fox News, Rep. Issa stated, "South Korea remains a strategic partner, but following the last election, a leftist government closely aligned with China took office, and that government began attacking American companies, including large corporations like Meta."

He explained, "Perhaps you are not aware, but Coupang is also among the targets. Coupang is essentially the Amazon of South Korea, founded and owned by Korean-Americans. Frankly, it appears to be systematically attacked in South Korea simply because it is an American company and effectively a unicorn company there."

Rep. Issa also commented, "We are seeing South Korea adopt European digital regulations, which are focused on localization rather than enabling excellent companies to succeed globally."

Led by Rep. Issa, over 50 federal lawmakers sent a letter to Ambassador Kang Sang-woo of South Korea to the U.S., expressing concerns that South Korea's business practices are "discriminatory."

The letter stated, "Many American technology companies have faced various regulatory measures aimed at punishing American firms while simultaneously protecting their domestic South Korean competitors. According to recent research by the think tank Compete, these regulatory actions by the South Korean government are projected to result in a total economic loss of $1 trillion over the next decade for the U.S. and South Korean economies, with the U.S. economy losing $525 billion and U.S. households losing approximately $4,000 per household."

The letter further added, "We will do our utmost to ensure your government ceases its persecution of Coupang and other American companies operating in South Korea. This will have a significant impact on America's economic and security interests."

Rep. Issa sent a strong warning regarding the Lee Jae-myung administration's tilt towards China. In his interview with Fox News, he pointed out that the reality is "returning to a structure very similar to the past Cold War era," recalling President Ronald Reagan's words: "'You're either with us or against us. My strategy is if we win, they lose.'"

He added, "That clear-thinking is something you see in the Trump administration. However, we feel as much of a need for it as we did during the previous Cold War."

Rep. Issa warned, "We must take seriously the fact that countries with strong economic power like China and military and nuclear capabilities like Russia are collaborating to expand their spheres of influence. Russia is seeking expansion into former Soviet territories, and China is seeking expansion into its former territories, including Taiwan."

Fox News reported that Yoon Suk-yeol, a member of the People Power Party, was elected president in 2022 but was impeached in December 2024 due to reasons including an attempted declaration of martial law, and that Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, who lost to Yoon Suk-yeol in 2022, won the election in 2025.

Fox News also reported that the Democratic Party, contrary to its conservative beliefs which involved reducing political exchange with North Korea and strengthening relations with the United States, is pursuing progressive domestic policies.

"The situation where China and Russia are strategic partners and are bringing various countries to their side, including North Korea, Cuba, until recently Venezuela, and of course Iran," Rep. Issa told Fox News Digital.

Furthermore, Rep. Issa indicated that the trade relationship between South Korea and the United States depends on the direction of the South Korean leadership. He suggested that trade agreements could be used as leverage if the South Korean administration does not change its course.

Rep. Issa stated, "South Korea relies on the United States for sales of many automobiles, including Hyundai, Kia, and of course brands like Samsung. And thanks to our free trade agreement, these products can be imported at the lowest possible tariff rates, in some cases 0%."

He explained, "If they want those benefits, we should use the leverage of the free trade agreement to ensure they not only do not impose tariffs on our companies, but also do not use other non-tariff trade barriers, which are clearly evident through Meta or Coupang. Yes, we have leverage. We must use it."

Rep. Issa specifically mentioned the U.S. Forces Korea. He noted that security issues are another point of leverage, which also indicates which side South Korea should be on.

He added, "To add to that, we still have over 25,000 troops stationed there. We maintain a strategic cooperative relationship to prevent North Korea from unifying under communist rule."

NNP=Sung Ku Hong, Chief Reporter / Special Dispatch by this newspaper NNP info@newsandpost.com