US Ambassador to South Korea: US Companies in Korea Deserve a "Level Playing Field"

The U.S. ambassador to South Korea said Tuesday that American companies in South Korea deserve a "level playing field," a day after Seoul's antitrust regulator announced a fine against e-commerce giant Coupang for abusing its market dominance. Ambassador Michelle Steele made the remarks during a forum hosted by the South Korea-U.S. lawmakers' alliance. Recently, Washington has repeatedly expressed displeasure over South Korean regulatory and other measures that could affect U.S. companies operating in the country. Steele said, "As our two presidents committed last year, American companies in South Korea deserve a level playing field. That begins with greater mutual understanding." Steele did not name Coupang, the U.S.-listed company.