Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon: "Planned inspection of Coupang begins today... Actions will follow the law and principles"

Kim Young-hoon, Minister of Employment and Labor (MOEL), stated on the 16th, "We will launch a planned inspection of Coupang Inc., where allegations of concealing industrial accidents have been raised and a recent fatal accident occurred, based on on-site data analysis and investigations that have been underway since December of last year."
At the Heads of Agencies Meeting on Strengthening Industrial Safety held that day at Government Complex Sejong, Minister Kim added, "I ask each local office to take action in accordance with the law and established principles."
Previously, MOEL had been investigating allegations such as concealment of industrial accidents involving Coupang since late December last year, around the time of a parliamentary confirmation hearing on the company.
Authorities have secured data on 119 emergency transfers, improper gains related to the national health insurance system, industrial accident claims, and industrial accident investigation reports. After analyzing this information, they say they found suspected cases of unreported industrial accidents or possible concealment of accident occurrences, and therefore decided to conduct a comprehensive planned inspection.
The inspection will cover Coupang, Coupang Fulfillment Services (CFS), Coupang Logistics Services (CLS), and about 100 centers and camps.
MOEL plans to examine whether industrial accidents were not reported, whether accident occurrences were concealed, whether there were violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and whether recommendations for improvement from the 2024 integrated inspection of CLS have been implemented.
Any legal violations uncovered during the inspection will be subject to measures such as criminal referral and the imposition of fines, in accordance with the relevant regulations.

jhyuk@fnnews.com Reporter Kim Jun-hyuk Reporter