USTR will formally open a Section 301 investigation into Korea's treatment of Coupang within 90 days, citing this week's blocked inspection as fresh evidence.

Greenoaks and Altimeter's January petition, backed by a House Judiciary Committee report accusing Seoul of discriminatory enforcement, had stalled as a niche trade complaint. Coupang's unprecedented refusal of a KFTC raid, layered onto a record $410 million privacy fine and a recalled ambassador, gives Washington increasing interest to reprimand Seoul's treatment of US-based tech companies.