"An Honest Apology in Official, Public Settings"
Coupang Eats Visits Store Only After Victim's Death Report
"Follow-up Measures Lack Practicality... Concerns Over Further Sacrifices"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The family of the victim in the so-called 'Shrimp Tempura Power Abuse Incident' has requested Coupang Eats to offer a sincere apology and establish effective measures to prevent recurrence.
The bereaved family (daughter) of the restaurant owner who died due to mental stress caused by abusive language from a Coupang Eats customer appeared on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" on the morning of the 28th.
She stated, "Our family hopes that Coupang Eats will issue a sincere apology officially and publicly," adding, "We want to see various systems put in place to prevent victims like my mother from occurring again."
The family explained Coupang Eats' response at the time, saying, "They kept unilaterally asking only whether they would provide a refund to us," and added, "Although it was unfair, they decided to refund, and while conveying our grievances, my mother collapsed."
She continued, "Even after I told the staff that my mother had collapsed and was unconscious, they ignored it and repeatedly told us to 'apologize to the customer' and 'be careful,'" expressing, "No matter how much they follow the manual, I felt this was too much for a human being."
According to the family, Coupang Eats visited the restaurant more than three weeks after the victim's death. This was on the day when the National Franchise Owners Association and People's Solidarity held a press conference in front of Coupang headquarters following the initial report of the incident.
The family criticized, "Until then, there was not a single apology, contact, or mention of any measures," and said, "Now, the formal apology feels like a procedural act, and it seemed like they were trying to cover it up."
Regarding the various measures announced by Coupang Eats after the incident, they pointed out that they lack practicality and that some measures are already being implemented by other platform companies. She expressed concern, saying, "Even if all these are actually implemented, I think sacrifices like my mother will happen again."
Regarding the abusive customer, she said, "I first want to hear if they have anything to say to my late mother, and I hope for their apology," adding, "Only then do I think my mother can rest in peace."
Finally, the victim's family said, "I want to sincerely thank the female customer who performed CPR on my mother at the store on May 8th and the young male customer who called 119."
She expressed gratitude, saying, "If they had not helped, my mother would have passed away helplessly without any aid, but thanks to them, our family was able to have some time to say goodbye to her. We will never forget their kindness."
She added, "I also sincerely thank the many people nationwide who placed supportive orders after the report," and said, "It is very difficult, but I will endure and live hard for my mother’s sake as well."
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