Coupang CEO Bom Kim Under Fire for Data Breach Absence

Coupang CEO Bom Kim's absence at a parliamentary hearing regarding a data breach scandal has drawn criticism from lawmakers in South Korea. The massive breach affected over 33 million users and has led to a significant decline in the e-commerce giant's stock. Legal actions are under consideration.

Coupang's Chief Executive Officer, Bom Kim, faced backlash for his absence at a critical parliamentary hearing over a substantial data breach affecting the e-commerce leader. Lawmakers expressed their frustration at Kim's failure to attend, citing overseas obligations, while placing the responsibility squarely on him.

Choi Hyung-du, a prominent lawmaker, criticized Kim's decision, comparing it unfavorably to global leaders like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, who have appeared at similar hearings. The breach compromised the personal data of over 33 million Coupang customers, sparking outrage and a 17% stock slump.

The interim CEO of Coupang Corp's South Korean unit, Harold Rogers, represented the company at the hearing, downplaying the breach's significance under U.S. law. Meanwhile, President Lee Jae Myung has called for heightened penalties against corporate negligence to prevent future incidents.

(With inputs from agencies.)