"Cooperation" Stressed by Coupang's Rogers as 12-Hour Police Questioning Ends

Coupang Investigation TF Concludes First Summons After Midnight
"Full Cooperation" Seen as Attempt to Avoid Compulsory Investigation
Possible Immediate Departure... Police Considering Additional Summons

Harold Rogers, Acting CEO of Coupang Korea, who was accused of evidence destruction and other charges during the company’s internal investigation and announcement of the large-scale personal information leak, was released and sent home after 12 hours of police questioning on January 31.

The Coupang Investigation Task Force (TF) of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency summoned Rogers as a suspect on charges including obstruction of official duties starting at 2 p.m. the previous day. The questioning concluded at approximately 2:22 a.m. on the day of publication.

Harold Rogers, Acting CEO of Coupang Korea, is appearing at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 30th. Photo by Dongju Yoon

This was the first summons and investigation since the TF was established a month ago. Rogers had ignored two previous requests to appear before police but agreed to comply with the third summons on January 14. He is under suspicion of obstruction of official duties, evidence destruction, and interference with business operations due to the controversy over the company's 'self-investigation' into the large-scale personal information leak.

Upon appearing at the police station at 1:54 p.m. the previous day, Rogers stated through an interpreter, "Coupang has done its best to cooperate with all ongoing government investigations," and added, "I will fully cooperate with the police investigation today." However, he did not answer reporters' questions regarding whether he admitted to evidence destruction, whether claims of receiving instructions from the National Intelligence Service were perjury, or whether he attempted to cover up industrial accidents, and entered the building without comment.

Rogers’ repeated emphasis on “cooperation” upon appearing before the police is interpreted as an attempt to avoid compulsory investigation measures. However, he remained silent on the core issues of the case, leading to criticism that he is evading legal responsibility. Even after the 12-hour questioning, he left without responding to questions from the press.

Harold Rogers, Acting CEO of Coupang Korea, is appearing at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 30th. Photo by Dongju Yoon

On December 25, Coupang released the results of its internal investigation, stating that although the personal information of 3,300 individuals had been stolen, only the information of 3,000 people had been stored. The Ministry of Science and ICT requested an official investigation, dismissing Coupang’s claim as unilateral, and the police also stated that there had been no prior consultation, fueling the controversy over the 'self-investigation.'

The police believe that, contrary to Coupang’s claims, more than 30 million accounts may have been compromised. It is understood that the latest questioning focused on allegations of evidence destruction. While there is speculation that Rogers may leave the country soon, the police are reportedly considering additional summons.