The presidential office on the 8th ordered relevant ministries to take measures to "prevent secondary damage" over Coupang's massive personal data leak. Because the leaked information is highly likely to lead to online fraud or fraudulent card use, the office said accountability must be made clear if damage occurs.
According to Ahn Gwi-ryeong, deputy spokesperson for the presidential office, Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik presided over a senior secretaries' meeting at the presidential office that afternoon and said, "Public anxiety is growing over the recent Coupang personal data leak," adding, "Implement measures to prevent secondary damage immediately." In particular, regarding Coupang's addition of a company "exemption clause" for hacking damage to its terms and conditions, Kang instructed officials to check whether there are other clauses disadvantageous to consumers and correct them.
Coupang has concentrated on hiring former aides to the National Assembly, as well as figures from the prosecution, courts, the Fair Trade Commission, and the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL), for government relations, and has lobbied through them. Critics say such hiring of "former officials" lies behind Coupang's slow response and evasion of responsibility. In fact, founder Kim Beom-suk, chair of the Coupang Inc. board, is refusing to comply with the National Assembly's request to appear, citing his U.S. citizenship.
On this, Kang said, "Conduct a broad investigation into cases of corporations that could undermine a fair competitive order and report the results."