Coupang's Rogers Lowers His Stance, Urges Staff to "Cooperate in Submitting Documents"

Reference to "99-Won Sanitary Pads as a Success Story"

Harold Rogers, the acting representative director of Coupang Korea who is under investigation on charges including destruction of evidence in connection with Coupang's internal investigation and announcement of the large-scale personal data leak incident, has asked executives and employees to actively cooperate with the probe. This is seen as an attempt to avoid confrontation with the government at a time when legal risks have grown.

According to the retail industry on the 6th, CEO Rogers stated in an email sent to executives and employees at around 6 p.m. the previous day that he would actively cooperate with the police's second round of questioning. He added, "I ask colleagues who are participating in document submissions and in-person interviews to also engage proactively, so that this situation can be resolved as quickly as possible."

At a National Assembly hearing held to investigate Coupang's security breaches and personal information leaks, unfair trade practices, and labor conditions and to devise measures to prevent recurrence, Harold Rogers, CEO of Coupang, is responding to a request by Choi Minhee, chair of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, to wear a simultaneous interpretation device. Yonhap News

Coupang is being investigated by more than 10 government bodies, including a joint public-private investigation team and the Personal Information Protection Commission, over the personal data leak incident. CEO Rogers first appeared before the police on January 30, and the Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is questioning him again from the afternoon of the 6th as a suspect for violating the Act on Testimony and Appraisal before the National Assembly. The focus of the investigation is the allegation that he committed perjury at the "Coupang hearing" held at the National Assembly. On January 20, CEO Rogers had also stressed "active cooperation with the Korean government" in an internal message.

In this email, CEO Rogers also cited "Lunami" sanitary pads, launched by CPLB, Coupang's private brand (PB) subsidiary, as a success story. He evaluated the fact that this lower-priced product quickly sold out and received a strong response as an example of answering not with words but with execution and speed, by offering low-priced products without compromising on quality. He also mentioned that Kevin Warsh, a director of Coupang Inc, has been nominated as a candidate for Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, emphasizing that he has provided important advice for Coupang's growth.