South Korea's Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon warned ministry officials that contacting former colleagues who moved to Coupang would "ruin their careers," as the government's conflict with the e-commerce giant over a data breach intensifies.
"I instructed our officials that they should know they will face ruin if they contact Coupang's government relations staff," Kim said at a joint parliamentary hearing on the data breach Wednesday.
The warning comes after five mid-level officials from the Ministry of Employment and Labor reportedly joined Coupang (CPNG) in June this year. Critics have accused the ministry — responsible for investigating Coupang over alleged overwork deaths and workplace accident cover-ups — of becoming compromised by the company's lobbying efforts.
The Fair Trade Commission has also tightened its rules. FTC Chairman Joo Byung-ki said former commission officials have similarly moved to Coupang, prompting stricter disciplinary measures.
"Officials who fail to report contact with former employees will face disciplinary action," Joo said. "We have strengthened disciplinary regulations to firmly establish organizational discipline."