The standing special prosecutor team led by Ahn Kwon-seop investigating allegations related to Coupang on the 31st is questioning Kim Jun-ho, the whistleblower of the "Coupang blacklist," as a reference witness.
After arriving at the special prosecutor's office building at about 9:45 a.m. that day, Kim told reporters, "I think (Coupang's change to its employment rules) was not appropriate."
Kim said, "There were methods the company devised to avoid paying severance," adding, "This is a matter that requires the special prosecutor's investigation."
From Nov. 2022 for five months, while working on the human resources team at the Hobeop Logistics Center of Coupang Fulfillment Services (CFS), Kim carried out tasks excluding job applicants by using a document called the so-called "PNG list," also known as a "blacklist." After resigning, Kim reported this to the media as a public-interest disclosure.
The list Kim disclosed contained the names of about 16,000 people and personal information such as dates of birth and contact details, as well as reasons for employment restrictions.
The special prosecutor plans to verify Coupang's methods for operating and managing day laborers in connection with the allegations of unpaid severance. The team is also expected to investigate the blacklist allegations Kim reported. The special prosecutor earlier received related materials from the Seoul Songpa Police Station, which had been investigating the blacklist case.
Coupang is suspected of changing workers' employment rules unfavorably in May 2023 and withholding payments equivalent to severance.