Bom Kim, chairman of Coupang, is facing criticism for snubbing the parliamentary hearing despite the fact that roughly 90 percent of Coupang’s revenue comes from the South Korean market. (Photo courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean lawmakers sharply criticized Coupang on Wednesday during a National Assembly hearing on the company’s massive personal data leak, condemning the absence of founder Bom Kim and accusing the e-commerce giant of showing contempt for Korean consumers and regulators.
Members of both ruling and opposition parties denounced Kim, the U.S.-based chairman of Coupang Inc., as well as former CEOs Park Dae-joon and Kang Han-seung, for refusing to appear. “This is nothing short of disregarding the National Assembly and the Korean people,” said Rep. Choi Min-hee of the Democratic Party, who vowed to hold the company accountable.
Ruling-party lawmakers echoed the criticism. “Coupang earns 90 percent of its revenue in Korea, yet its chairman refuses to attend a hearing that could determine the company’s future,” said Rep. Lee Hoon-gi. “Does he think Koreans are fools?” Others accused Kim of hiding behind his “global CEO” title to evade responsibility.
The National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee holds a hearing on Coupang’s data breach incident on December 17, where Coupang CEO Harold Rogers appears as a witness to answer lawmakers’ questions. From left: Cho Yong-woo, Coupang’s vice president for parliamentary and government affairs; CEO Rogers; Min Byung-gi, Coupang’s head of external relations; and Kim Myung-gyu, CEO of Coupang Eats Service. (Yonhap)
Foreign Executives Face Frustration and Calls of Being ‘Figureheads’
Much of the tension at the hearing centered on the foreign executives who appeared in Kim’s place, including interim CEO Harold Rogers and Chief Information Security Officer Brett Mathis. Neither speaks Korean, resulting in prolonged interpretation and repeated questions — a process that visibly irritated lawmakers.
At one point, Choi asked whether the witnesses could communicate in Korean. Rogers’ interpreter replied, “Not at all.” Lawmakers cut off lengthy translated answers, demanding shorter, more direct responses. “You look like a figurehead,” Rep. Lee said to Rogers. Another lawmaker told Mathis, “Say that sort of thing back in America. Follow the laws and customs of the Republic of Korea.”
Frustrated, Choi suggested using an AI translation tool to speed up the session — a remark that underscored the hearing’s growing chaos — though the meeting continued with standard sequential interpretation.
Rogers pushed back lightly, saying he was not being allowed sufficient time to provide full answers.
Coupang CEO Bom Kim (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Democratic Party Leader’s Lunch Meeting Draws Scrutiny
The hearing also veered into political controversy when lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party pressed Democratic Party floor leader Kim Byung-kee to explain a previous private lunch with former Coupang CEO Park Dae-joon ahead of this year’s parliamentary audit. Media reports had suggested the meeting involved discussions about personnel matters at Coupang.
The ruling party demanded Kim be called as a witness, accusing Coupang of possibly lobbying the opposition camp to ease political pressure. Coupang’s external affairs chief, who attended the meal, said the discussion focused mainly on cooling system inspections at a logistics center visited by a Democratic Party task force.
Democratic lawmakers dismissed the issue as political theater. Committee Chair Choi rejected the request to summon Kim but ordered Coupang to immediately submit the lunch receipt.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
