Opposition Party to Convene Major Hearing on Coupang Data Breach
The Democratic Party of Korea has announced its intention to convene a comprehensive, two-day hearing to address the significant personal information leak incident involving e-commerce giant Coupang. The proceedings are scheduled to take place on the 30th and 31st of the current month.
Heo Young, the Deputy Floor Leader for Policy at the Democratic Party, revealed the plans to reporters at the National Assembly, outlining the collaborative nature of the upcoming inquiry. The hearing will be conducted in conjunction with several key parliamentary committees, underscoring the multifaceted concerns surrounding the data breach. These committees include:
- The Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee (SIBCC), which will serve as the primary standing committee.
- The National Policy Committee.
- The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee.
- The Climate, Energy, Environment, and Labor Committee.
The Democratic Party has allocated a significant number of representatives to participate in the hearing. Six members will be drawn from the SIBCC, reflecting its central role in overseeing technology and communication-related issues. Additionally, two members will be appointed from each of the other participating committees, ensuring a broad spectrum of expertise and perspectives are brought to bear on the investigation.
Deputy Floor Leader Heo Young emphasized that the Coupang incident extends far beyond a simple data breach. He articulated the party’s view that the issue is intricately interwoven with a range of critical concerns, including labor practices, fair trade regulations, and other significant societal matters. This broader scope indicates the party’s intention to scrutinize Coupang’s operations across multiple domains.
Further underscoring the seriousness with which the opposition party is treating this matter, Rep. Kim Hyun, the Secretary-General, issued a stern warning. He indicated that “additional charges can be filed” should Coupang Inc. Chairman Kim Bom-suk fail to appear at the hearing. Rep. Kim explicitly stated that the joint hearing is being convened with the express purpose of addressing and rectifying what the party perceives as the “immorality and arrogance of the company.”
Rep. Kim Hyun also pledged a resolute commitment to ensuring accountability. He stated his intention to “work until the end” to facilitate a government investigation that will compel Chairman Kim Bom-suk to return to Korea. The ultimate goal, according to Rep. Kim, is to ensure that the Chairman provides “responsible answers and follow-up measures” regarding the data leak and related issues.
In addition to the parliamentary hearing, reports suggest that the Strategy and Finance Committee is exploring further avenues of scrutiny. The committee is reportedly reviewing the possibility of initiating a special tax investigation through the National Tax Service. This potential action signals a broader government-wide effort to examine Coupang’s business practices and compliance. The combined efforts of these committees and the potential tax investigation suggest a comprehensive and rigorous examination of Coupang’s operations and its handling of sensitive customer data.
