December 30 National Assembly Joint Hearing on Coupang
Rogers: "We have followed the Korean government's instructions since December 1"
"Voluntary compensation plan... No violation of Korean or U.S. law"
"Level of responsibility for information l
Harold Rogers, the acting CEO of Coupang, described the 1.685 trillion won compensation plan presented for members affected by the personal information leak as "an unprecedented compensation plan."
On the 30th, Rogers appeared as a witness at the Coupang hearing conducted by six standing committees of the National Assembly, led by the Democratic Party of Korea, and responded to questions from Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Hyunjung. Assemblywoman Kim stated, "Yesterday, Coupang announced a compensation plan, but in reality, it seems to be a promotional event disguised as relief for victims, aiming to advertise unpopular services and prevent 'Talpang' (mass withdrawal from Coupang)," and asked, "Do you have any intention to present a more substantial compensation plan?"
In response, Rogers said, "We did not disregard the Korean government," adding, "We have followed the Korean government's instructions since December 1," but did not directly address the question. When asked whether there were plans for additional compensation, he replied, "The compensation plan amounts to about 1.7 trillion won, which is unprecedented," effectively indicating that there are no further plans.
Harold Rogers, CEO of Coupang, is speaking at the 'Coupang Joint Hearing' held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 30th. 2025.12.30 Photo by Kang Jinhyung
When questioned about whether Coupang's coupon-based compensation violates the law, he responded that it was a "voluntary compensation plan." Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Wooyoung criticized, "Coupang's coupon compensation violates Korea's Fair Trade Act, and distributing coupons instead of cash to cover up the incident violates the U.S. Class Action Fairness Act. Are you not flaunting this as a compensation plan while violating both Korean and U.S. laws?"
Rogers reiterated, "U.S. law pertains to class actions, and ours is a voluntary compensation plan," and added, "It has been mentioned that Coupang conducted its own investigation, but we conducted the investigation in accordance with government instructions and cooperated for over a month."
In response to Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Youngbae's question, referencing the recent enactment of the 'TikTok Ban Act' in the United States for personal information protection, about how Coupang should take responsibility for the domestic leak of information affecting 33.7 million people, Rogers said, "I would like to leave the matter of responsibility to the National Assembly and regulatory authorities," and added, "We are complying with the regulations of the authorities."
Meanwhile, there was a dispute at the hearing over the use of simultaneous interpretation devices. Choi Minhee, Chairperson of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee, requested Rogers to wear the device, explaining, "During the last interpretation, the interpreter accompanying Mr. Rogers paraphrased the most critical points, so we have prepared simultaneous interpretation devices." However, Rogers refused, stating, "I have received permission to be accompanied by my interpreter." Democratic Party lawmaker Noh Jongmyun said, "If you respect the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and its legal system, please wear the simultaneous interpretation device," but Rogers responded, "This is not normal," and added, "I would like to raise an objection." Chairperson Choi replied, "I will not accept your objection," and denied the request.
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