The Democratic Party of Korea is pushing for a parliamentary investigation over Coupang's massive personal data leak. Kim Beom-suk, chair of Coupang Inc., raised the pressure by submitting a written statement explaining his absence for the National Assembly's joint hearing scheduled for Dec. 30-31.
On the 28th at the National Assembly, Democratic Party spokesperson for the floor Kim Hyeon-jeong met with reporters and said, "It's not final, but we plan to submit a request for a parliamentary investigation tomorrow (the 29th)," adding, "The party's position has been to first hold the hearing and, if insufficient, also conduct a parliamentary investigation."
She added, "We once again confirmed that we cannot overlook Coupang's 'high-handed and imperious' attitude," and said, "Chair Kim claims there are unavoidable reasons due to a previously scheduled commitment, but did not even specify what that schedule is."
Choi Min-hee, a Democratic Party lawmaker who chairs the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, posted on Facebook that day the written statement explaining his absence from Chair Kim, his younger brother Kim Yu-seok, a Coupang vice president, and former Coupang CEO Kang Han-seung. In the statement, Kim wrote, "As I currently reside overseas, it is difficult to attend the hearing on Dec. 30 and 31 due to unavoidable reasons stemming from a previously scheduled commitment."
Regarding their written statements explaining his absence, Chairperson Choi said, "Isn't the most important matter for Coupang right now the incidents arising from its business in Korea, including the personal data breach incident?" and added, "Acts that ignore and mock the Republic of Korea, the public, and the National Assembly are continuing."
The National Assembly will hold a Coupang hearing on Dec. 30-31 in a joint session of five standing committees centered on the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, along with the National Policy Committee, the Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee, the Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee, and the Strategy and Finance Committee.