Coupang CEO Kang Han-seung, Coupang Logistics Service (CLS) CEO Hong Yong-jun, and Coupang Fulfillment Service (CFS) CEO Jung Jong-cheol, among others, attended a hearing conducted by the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee.
On the 21st at 10 a.m., the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee held a hearing titled 'Hearing on improving working conditions for Coupang parcel delivery workers' late-night labor and more.' This hearing aimed to verify the current status and issues regarding the working conditions of Coupang parcel delivery workers and delivery drivers, and to check the responses from the government and Coupang. It was especially designed to seek legislative policies for fundamental improvements in working conditions.
Previously, the Environment and Labor Committee selected key figures, including the founder of Coupang, Bum Seok Austin Kim, CEO Kang, CEO Hong, and CEO Jung as witnesses. However, Kim submitted a notice of absence to the National Assembly last week, citing his attendance at the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump as the reason. Additionally, Son Min-soo, CEO of Good Logistics, also did not attend the hearing due to personal reasons. Good Logistics is the parcel delivery agency commissioned with Coupang CLS’s delivery operations. CEO Son represents the delivery agency to which Coupang delivery driver the late Jeong Seul-ki belonged.
Commissioners from both ruling and opposition parties in the Environment and Labor Committee argued for legitimate actions regarding the absence of key officials including Kim. Ruling party lawmaker Kim Hyung-dong of the People Power Party said, 'You can go to the Trump inauguration but not attend the hearing. This attitude, which ignores the National Assembly, is absurd. The Environment and Labor Committee must take action, such as filing a complaint.'
Lawmaker Kang Deuk-gu of the Democratic Party said, 'Kim, who is the actual owner of Coupang, claims he is unavoidably absent due to attending the U.S. presidential inauguration,' adding, 'Based on today's hearing results, I think we need to hold another hearing. In that sense, Kim must come to the next (hearing) summons.'
Lawmaker Jeong Hye-kyung of the Progressive Party criticized, 'Is the U.S. president’s inauguration more important than the deaths of Korean workers?' and stated, 'It's typical behavior for the CEO of a company built on the backs of workers' deaths.'
Meanwhile, within the 'Hearing on wage arrears at DAEYU WINIA Group' that the Environment and Labor Committee conducted simultaneously, voices were raised warning about a so-called 'empty hearing' after both key witness DAEYU WINIA Chairman Park Young-woo and his wife Han Yoo-jin submitted absence notices. Lawmaker Kim Hyung-dong noted, 'We aimed to resolve current issues through the hearing, but the actual parties and those responsible are absent.'
Lawmaker Park Hong-bae of the Democratic Party said, 'Chairman Park and Han submitted absence notices claiming health reasons for being overseas, but the departure date is stated as Jan. 12 of this year on the immigration certificate, and the country they left is not mentioned,' adding, 'Considering that the fact that the Environment and Labor Committee would conduct a hearing was reported in the media on Jan. 9, it clearly appears to be an act of evading.'
'We should consider strict actions such as complaints depending on the outcome when key witnesses are absent in accordance with the National Assembly Testimony and Appraisal Act,' he noted.
Earlier, Chairman Park was detained and indicted in March of last year and is currently on trial. His charges include not paying wages and severance pay amounting to 39.8 billion won to 738 workers at WINIA Electronics and WINIA Dimchae.