Ministry of Labor Forms 'Coupang TF' to Investigate Industrial Accident Concealment and Illegal Dispatch

Task Force Formed with 32 Members Specializing in Labor and Industrial Safety

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on January 6 that it has established a joint task force (TF) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into Coupang over allegations of concealing industrial accidents and illegal dispatch practices.

Yonhap News Agency

Since January 5, the ministry has been operating the “Coupang Labor and Industrial Safety Task Force,” led by Vice Minister Kwon Changjun. The regional offices have also launched their own “Labor and Industrial Safety Joint Investigation and Supervision Task Force” to begin investigations and supervision. The task force consists of a total of 32 members: 17 specializing in labor and 15 in industrial safety.

The ministry will conduct a rigorous investigation into all labor-related legal issues raised during hearings, including allegations of illegal dispatch-such as Coupang Fulfillment Services (CFS) giving work instructions to Coupang headquarters employees-the operation of a program to remove underperformers, and the alleged coercion of employees to use individual retirement pension (IRP) accounts for severance payments.

In the area of industrial accidents, the investigation will look into suspicions that Coupang attempted to conceal workplace accidents and obstruct cause investigations, such as by asking the family of the late Jeong Seulgi, who died on May 28, not to file for industrial accident compensation.

The ministry also plans to supervise compliance with the Industrial Safety and Health Act and investigate possible concealment of industrial accidents through preliminary data analysis. In addition to investigating reported cases, the ministry will conduct comprehensive inspections of workplaces, including affiliates.

The ministry stated that, if necessary, it will mobilize all available means, including compulsory investigations, to uncover the truth. If organizational concealment of industrial accidents or illegal dispatch is confirmed, strict measures will be taken.

In addition, the ministry is currently conducting on-site inspections focused on nighttime work and health protection measures at three Coupang logistics centers and four delivery camps where fatalities occurred last year.

Based on the results of these inspections, the ministry plans to take effective actions at sites where worker safety and health are at risk, including strong recommendations and guidance to improve risk factors, as well as orders to establish and implement safety and health improvement plans.

Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Younghoon stated, “Concealing industrial accidents and illegal dispatch are serious criminal acts that block and deny workers’ fundamental rights. If violations are confirmed, we will take action without leniency.”