Police: "Coupang personal data leak far exceeds 3,000 cases... Second summons issued for CEO Rogers"

[Financial News] In connection with the suspected personal data leak at Coupang, police are expanding their investigation on the view that far more information was taken out than the scale disclosed by Coupang. Police have also issued two summonses for Harold Rogers, acting CEO of Coupang.
At a Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency regular press briefing held on the 12th at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) in Jongno District, Seoul, SMPA Commissioner Park Jeong-bo said, "In relation to the personal data leak incident, we are taking necessary measures through the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the Criminal Justice Mutual Assistance System with the goal of identifying and questioning the suspects," adding, "Although the analysis of the seized materials has not yet been completed, we believe that far more data was leaked than the 3,000 cases announced by Coupang."
Police also confirmed that, during the process of analyzing the materials submitted by Coupang based on its internal investigation, they received a complaint alleging destruction of evidence and obstruction of official duties by deception. In this regard, police have requested that acting CEO Rogers appear for questioning twice, with the first summons date confirmed as the 5th of this month. However, Rogers did not appear on that date without submitting a separate written explanation, and police explained that communication is currently under way regarding the second summons.
Commissioner Park said, "It is difficult to disclose the specific date of appearance," but added, "I have been briefed that he will appear." Regarding whether a travel ban will be imposed on acting CEO Rogers, he said it is "under review."
On the Chinese national suspected in the personal data leak case, Commissioner Park explained, "There may be diplomatic issues if Korean investigative authorities directly summon a foreign suspect, so we are making the request through the official channels of headquarters," adding, "It is difficult to predict the extent to which China will cooperate, but we are taking all possible measures."
Police are also reviewing whether the statute of limitations applies in the case of Jang Deok-jun, who died while working a night shift at a Coupang logistics center.
Commissioner Park said, "If we view this as destruction of evidence under the general Criminal Act, we believe there is a statute of limitations, but we are also examining the possibility of applying special laws," adding, "The related investigation was only recently initiated, and we are verifying, in accordance with procedure, all of the allegations that have been raised." He added that suspicions related to closed-circuit television (CCTV) at the time of death are also included in the scope of the investigation.
Regarding the multi-vehicle collision that occurred near Jonggak Station on the 2nd, he said, "In the initial test, morphine components were detected, so we investigated with the possibility of drug-impaired driving in mind, but in the detailed examination by the National Forensic Service (NFS), no morphine components were detected," adding, "We determined that the result was due to cold medicine, so it is difficult to apply the charge of drug-impaired driving."
The SMPA also disclosed the progress of its "Traffic Redesign Project." According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, a total of 2,300 citizen proposals have been received, of which 52% have been resolved.
Commissioner Park said, "Because the implementation period has been short, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions about the results, but the number of traffic accidents and accidents involving two-wheeled vehicles and Personal Mobility Devices (PMD) has decreased, and traffic flow has improved," adding, "Citizen feedback has also been positive."
He went on to say, "Next week, we plan to distribute implementation plans for the 'Basic Order Redesign Project' to each police station, and we are also preparing additional measures to inspect and address citizen inconvenience and anxiety caused by disorder in everyday living spaces."
yesji@fnnews.com Kim Ye-ji Reporter