Labor Ministry Inspects Coupang Over Worker Death Cover-Up Allegations

Coupang Faces Inspection Over Worker Death Cover-Up Allegations

The labor ministry in South Korea has launched an investigation into allegations that Coupang, a major online retailer, attempted to conceal the circumstances surrounding the death of one of its workers. This probe follows earlier scrutiny of the company related to a significant data leak that affected over 33 million accounts. The ministry suspects that Coupang may have interfered with an inquiry into a delivery worker's death in May 2024 by reportedly pressuring the worker's family to refrain from filing an industrial accident claim. The inspection targets both Coupang and its subsidiary, Coupang Logistics Service, and will examine other potential violations of industrial safety laws. This marks the latest development in a series of investigations into Coupang, including previous probes into claims that the company maintained a 'blacklist' of workers to limit rehiring. The labor minister highlighted the commencement of the inspection, underscoring the severity of the allegations. The case has garnered substantial attention due to the convergence of industrial safety concerns and data privacy issues.