Former and current Coupang chiefs apologized to workers who died from overwork while working at Coupang logistics centers.
Harold Rogers, Coupang's interim chief, said at a joint Coupang hearing at the National Assembly on the 30th, regarding the 2020 death of Jang Deok-jun, a Coupang logistics center worker, "We accept full responsibility and are truly sorry for the death of the deceased," adding, "We sincerely apologize."
Former Coupang chief Park Dae-jun also said, "I feel a heavy sense of responsibility, and while I apologized at the time and separately apologized to his mother last year, I know that does not mean everything is resolved," adding, "I would like to take this opportunity to again express my apologies and my condolences."
On the day, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Lee Yong-woo asked whether Bom Kim, the Coupang Inc chair, tried to cover up Jang's death from overwork. Rogers, the interim chief, however, deflected, saying, "The veracity of the matter has not yet been confirmed."
Jang's mother, Park Mi-suk, who attended the hearing as an observer that day, said, "Please reveal the truth about the allegations that the chair covered up the fatal accident and about Coupang's poor working conditions," adding, "I earnestly ask you to ensure proper punishment."