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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor has launched an investigation into whether Coupang attempted to conceal an industrial accident related to the 2020 death of a logistics center worker, the ministry confirmed on January 4.
The probe focuses on the death of Jang Deok-jun, who died in October 2020 after working night shifts at Coupang’s Chilgok logistics center. Since January 2, the ministry has been examining whether Coupang engaged in industrial accident concealment or obstructed official investigations, including whether similar cases occurred after Jang’s death.
The investigation follows a complaint filed last month by the Korean Parcel Delivery Workers’ Union against Coupang Inc. Chairman Kim Beom-seok, Coupang Fulfillment Services (CFS), and former CFS CEO Nathan Joseph Naughton. The union accused them of violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act and of attempting to destroy evidence. Separate complaints alleging professional negligence resulting in death were also filed with the National Police Agency.
The case has resurfaced after internal Coupang documents were disclosed, allegedly showing discussions among senior executives following Jang’s death. According to reports, the materials include internal messages suggesting instructions not to leave records indicating that the deceased had worked diligently, raising suspicions of a deliberate effort to downplay work-related causes.
A key legal issue is whether the statute of limitations applies. Under Korean law, industrial accident concealment carries a five-year statute of limitations, which may have expired based solely on the 2020 incident. However, complainants argue that Coupang’s internal actions and repeated worker fatalities indicate ongoing violations, potentially extending the scope of liability.
The ministry said it will conduct a broad review of the timing and extent of the alleged actions, regardless of statute-of-limitations disputes, and will assess submitted materials and whistleblower reports to determine the facts.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
