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Coupang's second fulfillment center in Taiwan. (Photo: Coupang) |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] TAIPEI/SEOUL — New testimonies have surfaced alleging that Coupang, the e-commerce giant, pressured employees and partners to engage in illegal activities to facilitate its rapid business expansion in Taiwan.
According to a report featuring an internal source, Mr. A, a South Korean national who managed coordination between Coupang and Taiwanese logistics partners since June, the working environment was fraught with ethical conflicts. "They kept telling me to do illegal things," Mr. A stated. "It just didn't align with my values."
As Coupang launched its proprietary delivery service in Taiwan, it faced an urgent need for logistics warehouses. In Taiwan, specific permits are required to use a facility for delivery purposes. However, Mr. A claims Coupang pushed to utilize sites even when permits were denied. "When I said we couldn't sign a contract because it was illegal, the headquarters told me to just push forward quickly," he added.
Consequently, one of Coupang's logistics centers was caught operating without the necessary permits and received a corrective order from Taiwanese authorities in July. The warehouse, located in the Tucheng District of New Taipei City, had a 10-year contract starting in June, but operations were abruptly halted within months due to the legal intervention.
A security guard at the Tucheng logistics center, identified as Mr. B, noted the sudden departure: "Everyone was shocked when Coupang pulled out without notice. They suddenly stopped usage and began internal renovations."
Further allegations involve Coupang's delivery fleet. Mr. A noted that many vehicles bypassed legal requirements. "Deliveries must be made with green commercial license plates, but white private plates were being used for work, which violates Taiwanese law."
These operations were reportedly overseen by Kim Yu-seok (also known as "U-Kim"), the younger brother of Coupang's founder and Executive Chairman Bom Kim. "U-Kim runs all the logistics. Everyone knows it. He is the one responsible for the delivery and logistics sector," said Mr. A.
The rush to expand in Taiwan is seen as a strategic necessity for Coupang’s broader goals. Mr. A explained, "They believe they must succeed in Taiwan first to expand into Southeast Asia. Taiwan is considered the gateway to the Southeast Asian market."
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
