Harold Rogers, interim chief executive of Coupang, attended a friendly match of South Korea's national football team in person in the United States.
According to industry sources on the 4th, Rogers attended the friendly match between South Korea and El Salvador held that day (Korea time) at South Field of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. The match was the national team's final tune-up game after securing a berth in the World Cup finals in North and Central America, and it was broadcast live by Coupang Play.
Rogers wore a national team uniform and watched the match from the stands, with his image appearing on the broadcast screen at one point. Coupang Play commentator Yang Dong-seok said, "Coupang chief Harold Rogers came to the venue in person wearing a national team uniform to cheer on the national team players." Brigham Young University, where the match was held, is also Rogers' alma mater. The U.S. state of Utah, where the stadium is located, is also his childhood hometown.
Rogers exchanged greetings with officials at the venue and encouraged Coupang Play's operations staff, according to reports. The industry is paying attention to the fact that Coupang has recently been strengthening its public-friendly approach by leveraging sports content. Following last year's personal data breach, the company has been working to improve relations with the government and enhance its external image, and it is seen as building a friendly image with the public through sports and other means.
Last month, Coupang broadcast live and free to all citizens the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League semifinal between North Korea's Naegohyang Women's Football Club, which visited South Korea for the first time in 12 years, and Suwon FC Women. The match was AFC tournament content for which Coupang Play holds exclusive broadcasting rights and which had previously been provided mainly to paid subscribers. However, Coupang decided to make the match available for free in consideration of its symbolic significance as an inter-Korean exchange.
