Coupang's New CEO Responds to 'What's Your Phone Number?' with 'That's Personal Information'

[Financial News] Coupang, which was responsible for a massive data breach affecting 37.7 million people, drew public outrage by making controversial statements during the National Assembly hearing.
Kim Woo-young, a member of the Democratic Party, asked the foreign CEO for his mobile phone number. The foreign CEO appeared momentarily flustered and avoided the question by stating, 'That is personal information,' which led to further criticism.
On the 17th, the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee of the National Assembly held a hearing regarding Coupang's large-scale personal data leak.
The committee requested the attendance of Bom Kim, CEO, and Park Dae-jun, former CEO of Coupang who recently resigned due to the incident, but both were absent.
Instead, newly appointed CEO Harold Rogers and other foreign executives, including Brett Mathis, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), appeared. Throughout the hearing, they repeatedly stated, 'We do not speak Korean,' and provided evasive answers.
In this context, Representative Kim Woo-young asked CEO Harold Rogers, 'What is your phone number?' Kim also added in English, 'What is your phone number?'
Rogers appeared momentarily taken aback and, after a brief pause, replied, 'That is personal information, so I cannot share it.'
When Kim asked for his delivery address, Rogers again responded, 'I understand that is private information and cannot be shared.' Kim then asked, 'What is your email address?' and Rogers gave the same answer.
Kim Woo-young criticized, 'CEO Rogers of Coupang, who refuses to disclose information citing privacy, previously said that this type of incident does not constitute a reportable breach under U.S. privacy law.' He added, 'However, U.S. regulations such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) classify various personally identifiable information, including names and addresses, as highly sensitive.'
He continued, 'According to Coupang's report to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the company stated that Korean regulatory authorities have launched an investigation and that Coupang is fully cooperating.' He criticized, 'However, judging from CEO Rogers' remarks at the National Assembly today, there is no intention of full cooperation. The company is consistently showing willful disregard.'
y27k@fnnews.com Seo Yoon-kyung Reporter