Coupang Executives Face Congressional Scrutiny Over Labor Practices as Founder Skips Hearing | Be Korea-savvy

Coupang Executives Face Congressional Scrutiny Over Labor Practices as Founder Skips Hearing


Democratic Party representative Kang Deuk-gu (Image courtesy of Yonhap)

Democratic Party representative Kang Deuk-gu (Image courtesy of Yonhap)

SEOUL, Jan. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — Members of South Korea’s National Assembly sharply criticized Coupang Inc.’s founder Kim Bom-suk for his absence from a parliamentary hearing on January 21 focused on improving working conditions for the e-commerce giant’s delivery workers, particularly regarding late-night labor practices. 

The hearing, held by the Environment and Labor Committee, was attended by three top Coupang executives including CEO Kang Hanseung, but Kim’s absence drew unified criticism from lawmakers across party lines. Kim, who chairs Coupang’s board of directors, submitted a letter citing his attendance at President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony in Washington D.C. on January 20 as the reason for his absence. Sources indicated Kim watched the inauguration from Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol. 

“It’s incomprehensible that he can attend Trump’s inauguration but not this hearing,” said Kim Hyeong-dong, a lawmaker from the People Power Party. He suggested filing a complaint against Kim, noting that the chairman’s absence could render the hearing ineffective. 

Democratic Party representative Kang Deuk-gu called for a second hearing, insisting on Kim’s mandatory attendance. Justice Party member Jeong Hye-kyung questioned Kim’s priorities, asking rhetorically whether Trump’s inauguration was more important than the deaths of workers.

During the hearing, attending executives, including Kang and the heads of Coupang Logistics Service (CLS) and Coupang Fulfillment Service (CFS), expressed their commitment to improving labor conditions. Labor groups have long criticized Coupang’s dawn delivery service, arguing it forces warehouse staff and delivery workers into continuous night shifts, compromising their health and basic rights. 

CLS CEO Hong Yong-joon apologized for the company’s past actions, particularly regarding the exclusion of union leader Song Jung-hyun from Coupang’s business bidding process in 2023 due to his union activities at the company’s Ilsan center. Following a Supreme Court decision last month favoring Song, Hong pledged compensation for damages and affirmed that union activities would not be restricted within reasonable bounds.

The company had previously promised to engage in social dialogue to address continuous night labor issues during a December meeting with the Democratic Party’s Eulji-ro Committee. Kang reaffirmed this commitment during the hearing, promising to “faithfully implement” solutions reached through social dialogue.

Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com) 

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