[2024 National Audit] Commissioner of Police Promises "Active Investigation" Amid Allegations of Collusion with Coupang

Rep. Yong Hye-in: "Six Retired Police Officers Joined as Department Heads"

Police Commissioner Jo Ji-ho stated on the 11th regarding the allegations of biased investigation into Coupang's blacklist, "There is no reason to conduct a biased investigation."

Yong Hye-in, Basic Income Party member.
Photo by Asia Economy DB

On the same day, at the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee audit, Commissioner Jo responded to Basic Income Party lawmaker Yong Hye-in's criticism that "while Coupang was being overlooked, only the whistleblower's house was raided."

Lawmaker Yong said, "Six retired police officers joined Coupang at the manager level, and during that time, information about reporters covering the police agency was leaked, leading to the creation of a blacklist," adding, "The investigation is being delayed repeatedly. Only the whistleblower is being raided. How do you think the public will perceive this?"

Yong urged, "If the police are not colluding with Coupang, they must prove it through their actions. Even now, please actively investigate by conducting a raid on Coupang," to which Commissioner Jo replied, "We will do so."

Regarding criticism that "the police said at the raid site that Coupang suffered tremendous damage because of the whistleblower," Commissioner Jo stated, "We are verifying the facts, but it is necessary to decide whether to conduct an internal investigation during the investigation or after it is concluded."