U.S. technology company and global retailer Coupang is one of South Korea’s most important sources of employment and U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) – serving as a bridge between the two countries and driving significant economic and bilateral growth.
Coupang is one of the largest private-sector employers in Korea.
Coupang’s billions in investments are helping transform Korea’s market
In 2013, as Coupang was preparing to launch its Rocket Delivery service in Korea, the company began investing in its Korea-based infrastructure. By the end of 2022, Coupang had invested a total of more than $5.4 billion, accounting for more than a quarter of all U.S. FDI into Korea over that time period.
This investment has resulted in a modern, technology-driven fulfillment and logistics network covering almost the entire country, benefitting millions of Korean customers and hundreds of thousands of small to mid-size Korean businesses that sell their goods through Coupang.
70% of Koreans live within a 7-mile radius of a Coupang fulfillment center.
How Coupang is helping Korean businesses grow
In 2026, the benefits of Coupang’s large-scale investments in Korea and its communities are clear.
More than 300,000 small businesses were selling on Coupang as of the end of 2025, using its online retail services to connect with new customers all over the country. Small business sellers on Coupang grew their Korean sales an average of 21% in 2025, while the average growth rate for small businesses in Korea was nearly flat. More than 13,000 Korean small businesses have graduated into large-scale enterprises through Coupang’s proprietary services, according to company data.
Regional economies throughout Korea are also benefitting from Coupang’s rapid growth. 75% of Coupang’s SME partners, 85% of logistics infrastructure and 95% of the company’s delivery and fulfillment employees are located outside of Seoul. This is due to the company’s intentional distribution of infrastructure across the country in urban, suburban and rural areas, enabling rocket-speed delivery to customers, and spreading economic opportunities across the country.
Coupang is one of the largest private-sector employers in Korea, and also is a significant job creator worldwide, with more than 108,000 people globally at the end of 2025.
Coupang operates over 100 fulfillment and logistics centers in over 30 cities across Korea.
Coupang is driving U.S.–Korea cross-border trade and economic growth
At the same time Coupang is empowering Korean companies to reach new customers across Korea with unprecedented speed and convenience, it’s doing the same for small and medium-sized U.S. businesses.
West Virginia’s J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works, Montana’s EFX Sports and Wisconsin’s Sartori Cheese — along with thousands of other U.S. companies — are finding new customers and boosting growth by exporting to Korea through Coupang.
Coupang works with U.S. companies of all sizes, from big brands to small businesses and agriculture producers, to sell their goods in more than 190 international markets and territories. In 2025 alone, Coupang drove over $5 billion in overseas sales of U.S. goods and services, reaching customers in South Korea and beyond.
J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works produces culinary salts in Malden, West Virginia and exports to customers in Korea through Coupang.
Over the past 16 years since its founding, Coupang has built a global company and an innovative, technology- and AI-driven global fulfillment and logistics infrastructure. The company is just getting started, and is not slowing down: From 2023 through early 2026, Coupang invested more than $84M in U.S., Korean and global AI tech startups, one of many efforts by the company to redefine the future of global commerce through advanced technologies.
As Coupang continues to innovate and grow, the company will also continue to invest in the markets it serves, ensuring that customers, small businesses and communities can share in the benefits from the transformation of global commerce.
Frequently asked questions
How much has Coupang invested in South Korea’s infrastructure?
By the end of 2022, Coupang had invested more than $5.4 billion into its Korea-based infrastructure. This accounted for more than a quarter of all U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) into South Korea during that period.
How does Coupang benefit small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in South Korea?
As of the end of 2025, over 300,000 small businesses were selling on Coupang, averaging a 21% sales growth in 2025 compared to nearly flat growth for Korean small businesses overall. Additionally, more than 13,000 Korean small businesses have scaled into large enterprises using Coupang’s proprietary services.
What role does Coupang play in job creation and regional economies across Korea?
Coupang is one of South Korea's largest private-sector employers and employed more than 108,000 people globally by the end of 2025. To spread economic opportunities beyond the capital, 75% of its SME partners, 85% of its logistics infrastructure, and 95% of its delivery and fulfillment staff are located outside of Seoul.
