Harold Rogers, the interim CEO of Coupang, appeared before the US House Judiciary Committee for a closed-door testimony on September 23, in relation to the ongoing data breach scandal at Coupang. This session is considered a precursor to possible legislative actions and signifies the growing intertwining of US-Korea trade issues. With investors reportedly petitioning for the activation of Section 301 of the Trade Act, there is speculation that the US government might escalate trade pressures against Korean companies in the wake of the Trump administration’s previous declarations regarding trade law.

During the testimony held in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, Rogers did not respond to media inquiries regarding the discussion topics or any messages for Korean consumers. The House Judiciary Committee has publicly categorized the actions of the South Korean government against Coupang as 'discriminatory enforcement against US companies' and suggested veiled threats of legislative reviews to safeguard American interests. Prominent committee members have accused the South Korean authorities of targeting Coupang despite recent trade agreements.

The nature of the testimony was a deposition conducted by attorneys affiliated with the committee, rather than a formal hearing, indicating that this is an investigative step to gather facts that could precede formal hearings or legislative actions. The committee is treating this situation seriously as it probes into the claims of discriminatory enforcement by foreign governments against innovative American businesses, underscoring the potential for significant developments in US-Korea trade relations depending on the findings of this investigation.