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US-based 'Amazon of South Korea' forced to recover laptop from bottom of Chinese river in bizarre data privacy clampdown: report
New York Post • • business
Key Points:
- A House Judiciary Committee report alleges that South Korea’s government pressured US-based web retailer Coupang to recover a stolen laptop from a river in China as part of a data breach investigation affecting 33 million customers.
- Coupang complied with demands including hiring scuba divers to retrieve the laptop, under instructions from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), despite the NIS later denying involvement in the operation.
- The report highlights intense regulatory pressure on Coupang, including 40 investigations, threats of executive travel bans, and a $410 million fine, which US officials view as part of South Korea’s broader anti-American tech crackdown.
- US lawmakers and trade experts criticize South Korea’s treatment of Coupang as disproportionate and damaging to US-South Korea trade relations, with calls for a constructive resolution to ease tensions.
- Coupang maintains the breach was minor and expresses regret over the investigation, emphasizing its role in strengthening US-Korea economic ties, while South Korea has not publicly responded to the allegations.
