Coupang rejects further payouts at hearing

Dec 31, 2025, 08:22 am

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Harold Rogers, interim CEO of Coupang, answers lawmakers’ questions during a joint parliamentary hearing at the National Assembly on December 30. / Song Ui-joo

Coupang came under renewed fire on Monday after its top executives failed to attend a joint parliamentary hearing, with the company drawing a firm line against additional compensation despite mounting criticism.

A joint hearing convened by six standing committees of the National Assembly, led by the science and ICT committee, went ahead without key Coupang figures, including founder and chair Kim Beom-seok of Coupang Inc. As a result, questioning by both ruling and opposition lawmakers stalled, fueling accusations that the company was avoiding responsibility and prompting calls for a full government investigation.

Harold Rogers, interim chief executive of Coupang, attended in place of senior executives. Asked whether the company would present a better compensation plan, Rogers said Coupang had already offered an “unprecedented compensation package worth 1.7 trillion won,” effectively ruling out further measures. He added that “the Korean people and the National Assembly are not taken lightly,” while maintaining the company’s stance against additional payouts.

As in previous hearings, Rogers gave vague answers when pressed on accountability. When Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Il-young asked whether Kim bore responsibility for the incident, Rogers repeated that he himself was responsible as Coupang’s Korea head, without addressing the founder’s role.

With the hearing proceeding without key witnesses, the ruling party ultimately decided to pursue a state investigation it had previously delayed. Baek Seung-ah, floor spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters after a party meeting that many aspects of the case remained unclear and that the party would move forward with a government probe in cooperation with the People Power Party. She said a formal request for the investigation would be submitted the same day and urged the opposition to join the effort.

The People Power Party, meanwhile, boycotted the hearing while demanding a swift investigation. Analysts say bipartisan agreement on launching a state probe is increasingly likely, as Coupang’s stance shows little sign of change.

#Coupang #parliamentary hearing #additional compensation #Kim Beom-seok #Harold Rogers