National Assembly Schedules Two-Day Coupang Data‑Leak Hearing Amid Executive Boycott
Updated (3 articles)
Parliamentary Hearing Set for Two Days The National Assembly will convene a two‑day hearing on Tuesday, involving six committees including the Science and ICT Committee, to scrutinize the Coupang breach. Thirteen current and former Coupang executives have been summoned as witnesses. The session runs through Wednesday, marking the first formal legislative inquiry into the incident. [1]
Top Executives Decline to Appear Founder Kim Bom‑suk, his brother Yoo Kim, and former Korea CEO Kang Han‑seung each submitted written notices stating they will not attend, citing overseas residence and prior commitments. Their refusals were echoed in statements filed the day before the hearing. Lawmaker Choi Min‑hee publicly warned that such absences should be disapproved. [1][2]
Leak Exposed Tens of Millions of Accounts Coupang confirmed that personal data from approximately 33.7 million customers—including names, phone numbers, email and delivery addresses—was accessed. The company says forensic analysis identified a former employee as the hacker, recovered the compromised device, and obtained a confession. Government officials labeled the company’s unilateral claim as premature, awaiting results of a joint public‑private investigation launched last month. [2]
Political Opposition and Police Probe Continue The People Power Party announced a boycott of the hearing, preferring a parliamentary inspection instead of a committee session. Police investigations remain active, seeking to determine how the breach occurred and who bears responsibility. The joint probe, still pending a final report, underscores tensions between the administration’s demand for transparency and the company’s self‑conducted findings. [1][2]
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
Yonhap: National Assembly to hold two-day hearing on Coupang data leak as opposition boycotts: Details the hearing schedule, committee involvement, executive non‑attendance, opposition boycott, and ongoing police investigation, emphasizing the political standoff.
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[2]
Yonhap: Coupang founder to again shun parliamentary hearing on massive data leak: Focuses on founder Kim Bom‑suk’s refusal, similar refusals by other executives, the lawmaker’s criticism, company’s claim of identifying the hacker, and the government’s view of the claim as unilateral pending a joint probe.
Timeline
Late November 2025 – Coupang publicly confirms that a data breach has exposed personal information of about 33.7 million customers, including names, phone numbers, email and delivery addresses. The disclosure triggers immediate public outcry and prompts lawmakers to demand accountability. [3]
November 2025 – The South Korean government and Coupang launch a joint public‑private investigation into the breach, aiming to combine police resources with corporate forensics to identify the source of the leak. [2]
Dec 14, 2025 – Kim Bom‑suk, chair of Coupang’s board, announces he will skip the parliamentary hearing on the breach, citing global CEO duties; former Korean‑unit CEOs Park Dae‑jun and Kang Han‑seung also send non‑appearance notices. Democratic Party lawmakers condemn the evasion, saying the executives “have shunned the public and the National Assembly.” [3]
Dec 28, 2025 – Kim Bom‑suk again refuses to attend the hearing, claiming his overseas residence and pre‑arranged schedule prevent participation. Rep. Choi Min‑hee posts on social media that “the non‑appearance will be disapproved.” Coupang reports it has identified the former employee responsible, recovered the hacked equipment and secured a confession, while the government labels the company’s findings “unilateral” and notes the joint probe has yet to release results. [2]
Dec 29, 2025 – The National Assembly schedules a two‑day hearing (Tuesday‑Wednesday) involving six committees, including the Science and ICT Committee, to examine the breach and alleged unfair business practices; 13 current and former Coupang executives are slated as witnesses. The main opposition People Power Party boycotts the session, preferring a parliamentary inspection, while police continue their investigation into how the data of 33.7 million accounts was leaked. [1]