Ryu Hyun-cheol, head of the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) Occupational Safety and Health Office, said regarding Coupang being investigated over allegations including covering up industrial accidents and illegal dispatch, "We will not view Coupang differently from other corporations just because it is Coupang."
Deputy Minister Ryu answered this way at a briefing with the press corps covering the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) on the afternoon of the 26th to the question, "As the U.S. government shows interest in the government's all-out investigation into Coupang, on what principles is the government responding?"
Since the 5th, the ministry has been operating a "Coupang labor and occupational safety task force (TF)" led by the Vice Minister as Director General. It is investigating whether there was illegal dispatch at Coupang's logistics subsidiary, Coupang CLS, as well as violations of labor-related laws, including operating a low-performer program and forcing employees to enroll in individual retirement pensions (IRP) when paying severance. On the 29th of last month, it launched an investigation into a complaint filed over allegations that Coupang covered up industrial accidents.
In response, Coupang's U.S. investors asked the U.S. government to intervene, saying our government's response was unfair, raising concerns that the issue could escalate into a trade dispute with the United States.
Deputy Minister Ryu said, "There is no reason to view Coupang differently," adding, "Whether there are violations of the current Occupational Safety and Health Act, and whether there is illegality among the complaints and petitions filed by workers, will be judged under the existing legal framework."
On the issue of banning nighttime deliveries, he said, "A significant portion of public awareness has formed around the need to regulate (nighttime delivery)." However, he added, "There is no concept of nighttime work in the current working hours regulations, and there is no part that can be regulated under the Labor Standards Act, so there are limits," and said, "As corporations and workers reach a social agreement and establish an appropriate level of management, we will then look for ways to coordinate, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act from a safety and health perspective, how to intervene in nighttime work."
◇ Fourth anniversary of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act… "Small business sites with many accidents need management support"
Deputy Minister Ryu viewed the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, which marks the 4th anniversary of its enforcement on the 27th of this month, as having "played a very important role, including raising social awareness about industrial accidents." He said corporations' investments in safety and health have increased, and chief executive officers (CEOs) have recognized the importance of industrial accidents.
Deputy Minister Ryu, however, pointed to the "polarization of industrial accidents" as a regrettable aspect. He said, "Safety and health issues are standing out at small business sites," adding, "For establishments that lack the capacity to manage risks and human resources, we need to consider different approaches together."
He added, "While the disposition for (industrial accident deaths) should be applied the same to the results, for corporations that are barely making ends meet, support that (the government or prime contractors) have provided so far needs to be delivered more effectively and efficiently."
Deputy Minister Ryu also said regarding the level of penalties under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, "We need to reconsider socially whether those penalties are effective," adding, "There are many limits, such as not being able to raise fines on corporations indefinitely, so it is time to discuss the issue seriously."
Meanwhile, on physical AI (artificial intelligence) being introduced into manufacturing, he said, "If robots work mixed in with people, it could actually become more dangerous," adding, "Both corporations and the government need to proactively review basic rules and legal issues."