The Democratic Party of Korea is pushing to hold a joint National Assembly hearing for two days on the 30th–31st to address the massive personal information leak at Coupang and the broader controversies over labor and fair transaction issues. If Kim Beom-suk, the chair of Coupang Inc. and the company's founder, fails to appear at this hearing as well, the party plans to conduct a parliamentary investigation.
Heo Yeong, the Democratic Party's senior deputy floor leader for policy, told reporters at the National Assembly on the 22nd after a meeting of ruling party executive secretaries from the Science. ICT. Broadcasting. and Communications Committee, the National Policy Committee, the Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee, and the Environment and Labor Committee that "the (Coupang joint hearing) will be held for two days on Dec. 30 and 31."
Heo said, "The Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee will serve as the lead standing committee, and Kim Hyeon, the committee's executive secretary, will act as the chief coordinator. The Chairperson of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee will serve as the chair of the joint hearing." The Democratic Party has prepared a plan for the composition of the joint hearing under which 6 Commissioners from the lead committee, the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, and 2 Commissioners each from other standing committees will participate.
Based on this composition plan, the Democratic Party will also propose participation to the People Power Party and non-negotiating groups and request their attendance at the hearing. Even if ruling and opposition party talks on promoting the joint hearing fall through, the Democratic Party plans to proceed on its own.
Whether Kim Beom-suk, chair of the Coupang Inc. board, will attend is expected to be the key point of contention. Heo said, "Since it takes seven days to adopt witnesses, we will immediately request witness attendance today," adding, "If the hearing clearly identifies any shortcomings or areas that require accountability, we will create means to compel attendance through various criminal complaints and a parliamentary investigation." Rep. Kim Hyeon also added, "Through a parliamentary investigation, we will work to the end to ensure that Chair Kim comes to Korea and provides responsible answers and follow-up measures."
A division of roles is also expected by standing committee according to their respective pending issues. The National Policy Committee will handle personal information leaks and unfair transactions, while the Land Committee will address reviews related to canceling services by parcel delivery operators.
Regarding the issues under the Land Committee's purview, Rep. Yeom Tae-young said, "According to the enforcement rules, an annual report on registration requirements is needed, and if the requirements are not met, supplementation is requested, and if it is truly not possible, cancellation is also possible," adding, "Through the joint hearing, there is a need to strictly examine the detailed provisions under the Act on the Development of Logistics for Everyday Life."
It was also reported that Rep. Jeong Tae-ho, the executive secretary of the Strategy and Finance Committee, attended the meeting that day and discussed the possibility of a special tax audit through the National Tax Service.