The Science. ICT. Broadcasting. and Communications Committee will file a complaint against Lee Jae-geol, Coupang's vice president in charge of legal affairs, on suspicion of perjury at the joint hearing on Coupang held on the 30th–31st of last month. Earlier, the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee filed complaints against seven current and former Coupang executives for violating the National Assembly Testimony and Appraisal Act, and it raised the pressure by adding Lee to the list of those to be accused.
According to a compilation of ChosunBiz reporting on the 28th, the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee will hold a full session at the National Assembly on the morning of the 29th and vote on an "agenda to accuse a perjury witness from the joint hearing" regarding the vice president.
At the joint hearing, the vice president, while referring to an in-house investigation into the Coupang personal information leaker, said, "The National Intelligence Service (NIS) ordered contact with the suspect and said that after retrieving the device, we could handle it on our own," and added, "The NIS made the request because it is a matter of national security, and Coupang was said to have a legal obligation to comply."
At the time, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) refuted Coupang officials' testimony as completely untrue. The NIS said, "Aside from requesting materials, the NIS has never issued any instruction, order, or authorization to Coupang," and added, "We sternly warn Coupang that false statements are a grave matter that undermines trust in a state institution." The NIS then asked Chairperson Choi Min-hee of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee to file a perjury complaint.
Harold Rogers, head of Coupang Korea, who made a similar claim to that of the vice president, has already been accused of perjury under the Testimony and Appraisal Act. On the 31st of last month, the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee voted to accuse Chair Kim and Vice President Kim Yu-seok, as well as former head Kang Han-seung, of nonappearance under the act, and to accuse head Rogers, former head Park Dae-jun, Vice President Cho Yong-woo, and Auditor Yoon Hye-young of perjury.
On the 28th, the chairperson wrote on Facebook, "Police announced that the number of Coupang personal information leaks is 30 million," and said, "Coupang and Kim Beom-suk must take appropriate responsibility for the information leak, false explanations, nonappearance before the National Assembly, and perjury."