This photo taken June 24, 2020, shows a logistics center of South Korea’s e-commerce giant, Coupang, located in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, that was shut down after one of its employees was found to have contracted COVID-19. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — Employees impacted by the coronavirus outbreak at a logistics center of Coupang Inc., the country’s leading e-commerce operator, last May asked the prosecution to hold those accountable to justice.
“Coupang attempted to cover up the mass outbreak as it violated the government’s quarantine instructions,” said the victims of the Coupang mass outbreak.
“We have accused Coupang CEO Kim Beom-seok and eight others of violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, and negligence resulting in injury.”
A coronavirus outbreak at a logistics center of Coupang in Bucheon, west of Seoul on May 23 led to 150 cases of infection in the area.
“A low-temperature logistics center is a confined space and has poor ventilation, which increases the chances of spreading the virus,” said Kwon Yeong-wook, head of the victim’s support committee.
“The employees continued to share keyboards and workspaces despite the coronavirus spread, and had to share winter uniforms without cleaning them.”
“Employees and their families fell victim to the coronavirus because Coupang failed to notify the employees of the first confirmed coronavirus case for two days,” he said.
“Operation resumed without proper preventive measures, and Coupang has yet to apologize.”
“We’ve tried to talk with the company to no avail,” he said. “An investigation must take place to compensate the victims and come up with preventive measures.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
