Coupang Hearing Fizzles as Founder Kim Bom-suk Skips; Lawmakers Clash Over Ruling Party Meeting

A National Assembly hearing convened Thursday to address Coupang's massive data breach affecting 33.7 million customers ended in disarray, as lawmakers from rival parties clashed over a meeting between Democratic Party floor leader Kim Byung-ki and former Coupang CEO Park Dae-jun.

Key witnesses summoned to the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee hearing—including Coupang founder and Coupang Inc. Chairman Kim Bom-suk and former CEOs Park Dae-jun and Kang Han-seung—failed to appear. Instead, Harold Rogers, Coupang's interim CEO who assumed the role just one week ago, took the witness stand.

"I feel a deep sense of responsibility for this incident," Rogers said. "We are internally reviewing compensation measures and will cooperate fully as the investigation proceeds."

However, Rogers distanced himself from the absent chairman when asked about Kim Bom-suk's whereabouts and whether he intended to apologize. "I have not spoken with Chairman Kim Bom-suk regarding this hearing," Rogers said. "As CEO of Coupang's Korean entity, I will take responsibility."

Regarding the data breach, Rogers said the incident "is not classified as material in the United States, so there is no obligation to disclose to the Securities and Exchange Commission."

Under SEC regulations, companies must disclose material cybersecurity incidents within four business days. However, Coupang Inc. (CPNG), the U.S. parent company, filed with the SEC only on Wednesday local time—approximately one month after Coupang became aware of the breach—stating it "is exposed to various risks that could result in significant financial losses."

Lawmakers from both parties criticized what they called Coupang's evasive responses. "Representative Rogers is nothing but a scarecrow," said Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Hoon-ki. "He keeps repeating meaningless answers, so I will not ask any more questions."

The committee announced through bipartisan agreement that it would pursue legal action against Chairman Kim Bom-suk and others who failed to appear.

The hearing subsequently devolved into partisan clashes over a meeting in September—ahead of the National Assembly's annual audit—between Democratic floor leader Kim Byung-ki and former Coupang CEO Park Dae-jun.

"Floor leader Kim met with the head of an organization subject to audit before the inspection and allegedly made personnel requests. Are we going to let this slide without verification?" said People Power Party lawmaker Shin Sung-bum. "Floor leader Kim should appear as a witness."

Democratic lawmaker Kim Hyun countered: "We should not let this descend into political fighting. This hearing should focus on uncovering the truth about Coupang's data breach."

As allegations of "Coupang lobbying" emerged, the submission of a meal receipt—key evidence from the September meeting—became a point of contention. When People Power Party lawmaker Lee Sang-hwi asked Coupang Vice President of External Affairs Min Byung-ki whether floor leader Kim had ordered a 38,000 won pasta dish at the meeting, Min replied that "floor leader Kim was not feeling well at the time."

When pressed to submit the receipt, Min demurred: "Regarding the receipt, I did not pay the bill, so I am not sure."