"Prior Commitments Scheduled for December 30-31"
Vice President Kim Yuseok and Former CEO Kang Hanseung Also State Intent Not to Attend
Kim Beomseok, founder and Chairman of the Board of Coupang Inc., has announced that he will not attend the joint hearing of six National Assembly standing committees scheduled for December 30-31. Kim's younger brother, Kim Yuseok, Vice President of Coupang, and former CEO Kang Hanseung have also submitted letters stating their reasons for non-attendance.
Choi Minhee, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea and Chair of the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee, revealed the three individuals' letters of non-attendance on Facebook on December 28, stating, "As expected, we will not grant permission this time either."
According to the letter of non-attendance disclosed by Choi, Chairman Kim explained, "I am currently residing overseas, and due to previously scheduled commitments on December 30 and 31, 2025, it is unfortunately impossible for me to attend the hearing. These commitments are finalized and cannot be changed, so I ask for your understanding regarding my unavoidable absence." Vice President Kim submitted a letter with the same content.
Former CEO Kang stated, "I resigned from my position as CEO of Coupang at the end of May 2025, before the personal information incident occurred, and since then I have been living and working in the United States. Given that it has already been seven months since I stepped down as CEO, I do not believe I am in a position to testify on behalf of the company."
Chairman Kim also did not attend the hearing on the Coupang personal information leak held by the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee on December 17. At that time, he had also submitted a letter in advance citing business commitments as the reason for his absence.
Addressing Chairman Kim and others who have stated they cannot attend the upcoming joint hearing, Assemblywoman Choi emphasized, "Acts of disregarding and mocking the Republic of Korea, its people, and the National Assembly continue. This is absolutely unacceptable, and the National Assembly will fulfill its responsibilities."
The hearing scheduled for December 30-31 will involve six standing committees: the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee; the Political Affairs Committee; the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee; the Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee; the Planning and Finance Committee; and the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee.
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