Coupang Refuses to Apologize Until the End at the National Assembly Audit... Sharp Rebuke from Committee Chair Song Okju

Death of a 20s Coupang Logistics Center Employee a 'Hot Potato'
Human Rights Issues Raised Over Phone Returns, CCTV
Song Okju, Chair of Environment and Labor Committee, Calls Responses "Insincere and Mechanical"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] At the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Employment and Labor held on the 26th by the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee, the issue of overwork-related death of a Coupang employee was a "hot potato." Sharp criticism poured out from lawmakers of both ruling and opposition parties regarding the death of a day laborer in his 20s, Mr. Jang, who had been supporting sorting work at Coupang's Chilgok logistics center for over a year.

At the audit, Um Seong-hwan, Executive Director of Coupang Fulfillment Services, a logistics subsidiary of Coupang, appeared as a witness. The Environment and Labor Committee members questioned Executive Director Um about whether the employee’s death was due to overwork and whether there was an intention to apologize to the bereaved family. When Democratic Party lawmaker Lim Jong-sung asked, "Two delivery workers at Coupang died this year. Needless to say, this is Coupang’s responsibility. Is that correct?" Executive Director Um replied, "Regarding that matter, related agencies are conducting investigations, so we will sincerely cooperate with the investigation."

When Lawmaker Lim asked, "Have you met with the families of the deceased delivery workers?" Executive Director Um said, "I understand our employees have met with them, but I have not yet had the chance to meet." When asked if he intended to meet them, Um replied, "I am willing to meet them anytime." Lim urged, "Please meet them and offer a sincere apology and prepare measures to prevent recurrence. After this audit, make sure to meet them." Um responded, "I fully understand your point."

Justice Party lawmaker Kang Eun-mi pressed, "Was the worker who died at the Chilgok logistics center a victim of overwork-related death or not?" Executive Director Um said, "Determining overwork-related death is a matter for the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service." When Kang questioned, "Then why did you issue a press release saying it was not overwork-related death?" Um countered, "We did not issue a press release saying it was not overwork-related death; we issued a press release based on facts."

Lawmaker Kang argued that when judging overwork, night shifts should be weighted by 30% of actual working hours, so if the working hours are 8 hours, it should be calculated as 9.5 hours, and 9 hours as 11.5 hours. She added, "In August and September, the deceased’s actual weekly working hours for 7 consecutive days were 70 hours and 69.4 hours. He also worked during the Chuseok holiday," emphasizing, "Although formally a day laborer, he worked like a regular employee."

Members of the Environment and Labor Committee are having a meeting with the bereaved family of the late Jang Deok-jun, who suddenly passed away at home after working at the Coupang logistics warehouse in Daegu on the 12th, during the lunch break of the national audit held at the Government Sejong Complex on the 26th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response to Executive Director Um’s statement that "the deceased could choose his working hours and holidays according to his own will," Lawmaker Kang replied, "If there is no one else working with you, the workload increases. Could that be possible?" and added, "He worked almost every day of overtime for 1 year and 4 months after joining."

When Kang said that workers doing night shifts are subject to special health examinations, Um replied, "Because short-term workers do not have fixed commuting schedules, they were not included." When Kang demanded, "Apologize to the deceased and their family," Um instead said, "I extend my deepest condolences to the deceased and their family."

On that day, the bereaved family visited the audit venue and met with the Environment and Labor Committee members. Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Ho-young conveyed the family’s wishes to Coupang, saying, "I hope such incidents never happen again," "We want measures to prevent recurrence," and "We want to visit the site where my son died while working." Executive Director Um said, "We will work to increase safety personnel and invest in facilities and equipment to prevent such incidents." Regarding the family’s request to visit the site of death, he said, "We will carefully consider the lawmaker’s suggestion." When Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Joon-byung asked, "Since you said you are willing to meet the family, please meet them before you leave today. Are you willing?" Um replied, "I will carefully consider and take your words to heart."

Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang sharply criticized Coupang’s "human rights violations." Yoon said, "Unlike regular employees, day laborers and contract workers are prohibited from bringing mobile phones into Coupang workplaces." Um responded, "For safety reasons, we require mobile phones to be surrendered." Yoon criticized, "If the worker in his 40s had had his mobile phone, he might not have died in the restroom at the Incheon logistics center last time. This is a serious human rights violation." Um explained, "Because forklifts and conveyor belts operate nonstop inside the logistics center, it is for safety reasons."

Eom Seong-hwan, Executive Director of Coupang Fulfillment Service
Photo by Yonhap News

Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Su-jin raised her voice, saying, "There are CCTV cameras throughout the center, and if a worker leaves their post, managers quickly notice and come down, sometimes calling the worker’s name over the broadcast to urge them to work. This is called a 'public execution'." When Executive Director Um denied, "There are parts of what you said that are not true," Lee asked, "Then will you submit the CCTV evidence?" Um replied, "If the lawmaker wishes." Coupang later stated in reference materials that "If requested, we will submit CCTV footage after legal review."

Environment and Labor Committee Chairwoman Song Ok-joo gave a final rebuke to Executive Director Um, who answered throughout the audit in a mechanical manner as if reading from a Korean textbook without showing any remorse. Before Um left the audit hall, Chairwoman Song said, "The entire nation is watching the witness’s attitude. I think Coupang’s corporate image has been greatly damaged." She criticized, "How can you answer so insincerely? You should prioritize people and labor in your answers. Answering mechanically like that is problematic."

Chairwoman Song concluded, "I judge that there is no apology or reflection at all. Although there are parts where you are cautious because of legal reasons and even brought a lawyer, you should not respond like that. Many people are demanding a sincere apology and response."