South Korea's Fair Trade Commission chief Ju Byung-gi stated in a radio interview that a temporary suspension of e-commerce giant Coupang's operations is possible amid an ongoing data breach investigation. This measure could be taken if remedies for affected consumers prove insufficient. The science ministry criticized Coupang's internal probe as one-sided.
On January 12, 2026, Ju Byung-gi, chairman of South Korea's Fair Trade Commission (FTC), said in a radio interview that ordering a temporary suspension of business operations at e-commerce giant Coupang may be possible amid an ongoing probe into a recent large-scale data breach. "If an order is not implemented or if it is deemed insufficient to provide relief to affected consumers, a business suspension is also possible," Ju stated.
Coupang announced the results of its internal investigation on December 25, 2025, claiming a former employee had stolen personal information from 33.7 million user accounts but saved data from only about 3,000 accounts, which was later deleted. The science ministry quickly dismissed these findings as one-sided and an incomplete conclusion, emphasizing that a joint public-private investigation involving the ministry and the Personal Information Protection Commission has yet to conclude.
Ju noted that the FTC is examining other issues related to Coupang beyond the data breach, including its business practices. He added that the commission will soon announce the results of its deliberations on allegations that Coupang passed on losses from low-price sales to partner suppliers. This case highlights scrutiny on the U.S.-listed company's operations in Korea and the balance between consumer protection and business accountability.
