Former Coupang CEO Park Daejun Questioned for About 4 Hours... Police Probe 'Kim Byungki Luncheon' Conversation

Suspicions Raised Over Discussion of Personnel Disadvantages
for Former Aide Who Exposed Misconduct Allegations After Joining Coupang

On January 8, police summoned and questioned Park Daejun, former CEO of Coupang, who is suspected of having discussed possible personnel disadvantages for a former aide to Assemblyman Kim Byungki of the Democratic Party of Korea, who now works at Coupang, during a meal with Assemblyman Kim.

Yonhap News Agency

Park appeared as a witness at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Public Crime Investigation Unit in Mapo District at around 1:50 p.m. and left the building at approximately 5:40 p.m. When asked by reporters before and after the questioning, including “Why did you meet Assemblyman Kim?” and “Do you deny all allegations of lobbying?” Park left without answering any questions.

Last September, ahead of the National Assembly audit, Park met with Assemblyman Kim for an expensive meal. During this meeting, suspicions arose that Assemblyman Kim requested unfavorable personnel actions against his former aide who had joined Coupang.

This former aide had previously exposed allegations that Assemblyman Kim had sought favors regarding his child’s transfer and employment. The civic group Citizens’ Action for Judicial Justice, which filed the complaint, claims that Assemblyman Kim used his position for personal retaliation.

It is reported that police questioned Park in detail about the conversations that took place during the meal. However, Park’s statements have not been disclosed.

Assemblyman Kim previously explained on Facebook, “There were reports that my former ‘problematic’ aide who joined Coupang was using my name. I requested that staff from the floor leader’s office be prevented from meeting with this person or using my name for external affairs.” He also drew a clear line, stating that he was not involved in Coupang’s personnel decisions.

Police are also separately investigating allegations that Park treated Assemblyman Kim to an expensive meal. This case is being handled by the Coupang Task Force established at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

In addition, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Criminal Investigation Unit is investigating allegations of an industrial accident cover-up related to the late Jang Deokjun, a former Coupang logistics center worker. On January 6, police questioned a courier union official who filed a complaint against Coupang Inc. Chairman Kim Beomseok for occupational negligence resulting in death and for instructing the destruction of evidence, as well as Jang’s mother. The bereaved family voluntarily submitted related materials, including Jang’s employment contract, work records, and more than 160 CCTV videos that Coupang submitted to the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service.