Coupang Countermeasure Committee "Replace Blacklist Investigator for Full Reinvestigation"

Coupang Countermeasures Committee and Minbyun Hold Press Conference in Songpa, Seoul

Civil organizations have demanded the replacement of investigators at the Songpa Police Station in Seoul, citing unfair investigation of the 'Coupang blacklist suspicion.'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Coupang Countermeasures Committee for Healthy Labor and Human Rights of Coupang Workers (Coupang Countermeasures Committee) and the Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun) held a press conference in front of the Songpa Police Station on the morning of the 11th, urging, "Replace the investigators investigating the Coupang blacklist and conduct a full reinvestigation."

They criticized, "The ongoing investigation is unfair and biased," adding, "Despite the gravity and seriousness of the matter and the possibility of organized evidence destruction, no forced investigation has been conducted, and only passive investigations are underway."

They also claimed that the case "was assigned from the beginning to an investigator who had a long-term leave scheduled, regardless of the urgency of the matter or the need for a swift investigation."

They continued, "Considering the nature of the case and the pattern of illegal acts, the investigator lacked the capacity, will, expertise, and experience related to the case, making it unlikely that a thorough investigation would be conducted from the start," and strongly requested, "We apply for the disqualification of the investigator in charge and demand the reorganization of the investigation team to guarantee fairness and conduct a full reinvestigation."

Meanwhile, the Coupang blacklist suspicion involves allegations that Coupang's subsidiary, Coupang Fulfillment Services (CFS), managed a list restricting employment of certain employees. The blacklist reportedly includes 16,450 individuals, with reasons for employment avoidance such as inability to perform normal duties, health issues, workplace sexual harassment, and repeated unauthorized absences.

Earlier, on February 19, the Coupang Countermeasures Committee and over 70 other organizations filed a complaint against Coupang Corporation and others at the Songpa Police Station for violating the Personal Information Protection Act.