National Assembly to Hold 'Coupang Hearing' on the 17th... Founder Bom Suk Kim Selected as Witness

Founder Bom Suk Kim Selected as Witness Amid Silence
Focus on Attendance as "Leaving Coupang" Trend and Public Backlash Grow
Confirmation Hearing for Jongcheol Kim as BMC Chair Scheduled for the 16th

The National Assembly has finalized plans to hold a Coupang hearing on the 17th and has selected a large number of related individuals, including Bom Suk Kim, Chairman of Coupang Inc. and its actual owner, as witnesses. The hearing will focus on holding those responsible for the massive personal data breach accountable, as well as scrutinizing the controversial hiring of former judges and officials from the Fair Trade Commission. If Chairman Kim fails to appear, the Assembly is considering measures such as filing a complaint or enforcing a compulsory appearance.

On December 9, 2025, at the plenary meeting of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee held at the National Assembly, Chairperson Minhee Choi is striking the gavel. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

At a plenary meeting held on the morning of the same day, the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee of the National Assembly passed the plan to hold a hearing on the Coupang security breach and the agenda for summoning Chairman Kim and other witnesses and reference persons. Nine individuals have been selected as witnesses, including Chairman Kim; Daejoon Park, CEO of Coupang; Hansung Kang, former CEO; Brett Mathis, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO); and Vice Presidents Byungki Min and Yongwoo Cho.

Hansung Kang, the former CEO who has been selected as a witness, is a former judge and a classmate of former President Yoon Suk-yeol in the 23rd class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute. Earlier this year, he moved to the North America headquarters of Coupang Inc. as Head of North America. Vice President Min previously handled government relations at Samsung Electronics for a long time, while Vice President Cho served as Chief of Staff to the leader of the National Innovation Party. Lawmakers from both parties plan to question these individuals regarding suspicions that Coupang has undermined fair competition through government and ex-official recruitment, using them as a "shield."

The main point of interest is whether Chairman Kim will attend the hearing. Since stepping down as Chairman of the Board and registered director of Coupang's Korean subsidiary in 2021, he has not appeared before the National Assembly even once. Although there is speculation that he may not appear again this time, mounting pressure from both ruling and opposition parties, as well as worsening public sentiment due to a sharp decline in Coupang's user numbers, could leave room for his attendance.

Previously, Byungju Kim, Chairman of MBK Partners, who faced public criticism over the "Homeplus incident," also repeatedly refused to comply with the National Assembly's requests to appear, citing overseas commitments. However, as pressure for compulsory attendance increased, he eventually appeared before the National Policy Committee's audit in October.

Kim Jongcheol, the inaugural candidate for the Broadcasting Media and Communications Committee (BMCC) chairman, is answering reporters' questions as he arrives at the confirmation hearing preparation office in Gwacheon City on the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee has also confirmed that the confirmation hearing for Yonsei University Professor Jongcheol Kim, the inaugural candidate for the Broadcasting Media and Communications Committee (BMC) under the Lee Jaemyung administration, will be held on the 16th.

Hyungdu Choi, secretary of the People Power Party, stated, "The establishment of the BMC was rushed, excluding only former Chairperson Jin Sook Lee, and we will question its potential unconstitutionality." Hyun Kim, secretary of the Democratic Party, countered, "Through the hearing, we will reveal the media domination and distortions that occurred under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration."

Minhee Choi, Chairperson of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee and a member of the Democratic Party, said, "We have decided to hold the confirmation hearing for the candidate in one day, but if additional matters arise, we can skip the Coupang hearing on the 17th and continue on the 18th. During the term of former Chairperson Jin Sook Lee, there were so many suspicions that lawmakers requested an extension, which was granted. If necessary, we can do the same this time and add another day."