South Korea Spends Millions Lobbying U.S. Government While Unfairly Targeting American Tech Companies

February 10, 2026
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South Korea's government is shelling out millions in U.S. lobbying cash to shield its protectionist policies, particularly the raw deal it's handing American tech giants like Coupang—while American innovators get squeezed out by discriminatory regulations and forced tech transfers. This isn't just a trade spat; it's a stark reminder of how foreign governments weaponize influence in Washington to tilt the playing field against U.S. companies. Reports show Seoul's lobbying spend has surged, with firms like Cornerstone Government Affairs and SGR Government Relations & Lobbying pocketing hefty fees to whisper in the ears of lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The target? Defending Korea's national security excuses for blocking fair competition, even as they rake in billions from American consumers and markets. Dig deeper, and the hypocrisy stinks: South Korea preaches free markets globally but plays dirty at home, much like how some nations cry foul on U.S. gun exports while hoarding their own arms industries behind tariff walls. For the 2A community, this hits close—think of the parallels to foreign pressure on American firearms manufacturers. Just as Korea squeezes Coupang (an e-commerce disruptor founded by a Harvard alum with deep U.S. ties), countries like those in the EU lobby hard against U.S. gun tech and exports, citing public safety while protecting their state-run monopolies. We've seen it with Glock and SIG Sauer facing export barriers abroad, or nations pushing ATF regs via backdoor influence to kneecap American 2A innovation. If Seoul can drop $10M+ lobbying to safeguard its tech turf, why shouldn't pro-2A groups ramp up D.C. firepower to counter anti-gun foreign lobbies from the UN to Brussels? The implications are clear: vigilance against foreign meddling isn't just for Big Tech—it's a 2A imperative. As these lobbying wars escalate, American firearm firms risk similar targeting, from supply chain chokepoints to outright bans disguised as reciprocity. Patriots, take note: support domestic innovation, call out the double standards, and push Congress to level the field. If Korea's burning cash to rig the game, we need to fight smarter to keep American ingenuity—and our rights—unfettered.

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South Korea’s government is shelling out millions in U.S. lobbying cash to shield its protectionist policies, particularly the raw deal it’s handing American tech giants like Coupang—while American innovators get squeezed out by discriminatory regulations and forced tech transfers. This isn’t just a trade spat; it’s a stark reminder of how foreign governments weaponize influence in Washington to tilt the playing field against U.S. companies. Reports show Seoul’s lobbying spend has surged, with firms like Cornerstone Government Affairs and SGR Government Relations & Lobbying pocketing hefty fees to whisper in the ears of lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The target? Defending Korea’s national security excuses for blocking fair competition, even as they rake in billions from American consumers and markets.

Dig deeper, and the hypocrisy stinks: South Korea preaches free markets globally but plays dirty at home, much like how some nations cry foul on U.S. gun exports while hoarding their own arms industries behind tariff walls. For the 2A community, this hits close—think of the parallels to foreign pressure on American firearms manufacturers. Just as Korea squeezes Coupang (an e-commerce disruptor founded by a Harvard alum with deep U.S. ties), countries like those in the EU lobby hard against U.S. gun tech and exports, citing public safety while protecting their state-run monopolies. We’ve seen it with Glock and SIG Sauer facing export barriers abroad, or nations pushing ATF regs via backdoor influence to kneecap American 2A innovation. If Seoul can drop $10M+ lobbying to safeguard its tech turf, why shouldn’t pro-2A groups ramp up D.C. firepower to counter anti-gun foreign lobbies from the UN to Brussels?

The implications are clear: vigilance against foreign meddling isn’t just for Big Tech—it’s a 2A imperative. As these lobbying wars escalate, American firearm firms risk similar targeting, from supply chain chokepoints to outright bans disguised as reciprocity. Patriots, take note: support domestic innovation, call out the double standards, and push Congress to level the field. If Korea’s burning cash to rig the game, we need to fight smarter to keep American ingenuity—and our rights—unfettered.

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