Coupang Chairman Bom Suk Kim to Be Prosecuted for Failing to Attend Parliamentary Audit
The amendment to the Personal Information Protection Act, which allows for imposing fines of up to 10% of a company's total revenue in the event of a major personal information leak, has passed the plenary session of the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee.
On the 17th, the Political Affairs Committee held a plenary session and, through bipartisan agreement, approved an alternative version of the amendment to the Personal Information Protection Act containing these provisions.
The core of the amendment is to raise the upper limit of fines from the current 3% of revenue to up to 10% in cases of repeated or serious personal information breaches.
On the 15th, at the 1st Subcommittee on Bill Examination of the Political Affairs Committee held at the National Assembly, Subcommittee Chairman Junhyun Kang is striking the gavel. 2025.12.15 Photo by Hyunmin Kim
In its explanation for proposing the bill, the Political Affairs Committee stated, "We will establish a stronger fine system for repeated or serious personal information violations to address the limitations of current sanctions," and added, "We will clarify the responsibilities of business owners or representatives and strengthen the authority and independence of those in charge of personal information protection."
In addition, the Political Affairs Committee decided to file a complaint against Bom Suk Kim, Chairman of Coupang Inc. and founder of Coupang, for violating the National Assembly's Act on Testimony and Appraisal (non-attendance).
Han Hong Yoon, a member of the People Power Party and Chairman of the Political Affairs Committee, stated at the meeting, "Coupang's witness Bom Suk Kim failed to attend our committee's parliamentary audit twice, on October 14 and 28, without valid reason," and declared, "As there are no objections to the motion to file a complaint against the witness, I declare it passed."
Minguk Kang, a member of the People Power Party, said, "Witness Bom Suk Kim has undermined the functions of the National Assembly, which are entrusted by the sovereign people," and added, "Since Coupang is headquartered in the United States, if necessary, we should send official requests to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or the Securities and Exchange Commission to obtain the relevant materials."
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