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Former Coupang CEO Park Dae‑jun Questioned Over Alleged Perjury Amid Ongoing Data‑Breach Probe

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  • Harold Rogers, interim CEO of Coupang Corp., arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's headquarters in central Seoul on Jan. 30, 2026, to be questioned about allegations of evidence destruction in connection with a massive data breach at the company. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Harold Rogers, interim CEO of Coupang Corp., arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's headquarters in central Seoul on Jan. 30, 2026, to be questioned about allegations of evidence destruction in connection with a massive data breach at the company. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • A pedestrian walks by a Coupang delivery van in Seoul, in this Dec. 29, 2025, file photo. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    A pedestrian walks by a Coupang delivery van in Seoul, in this Dec. 29, 2025, file photo. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Harold Rogers, interim CEO of Coupang Corp., arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's headquarters in central Seoul on Jan. 30, 2026, to be questioned about allegations of destruction of evidence in connection with a massive data breach at the company. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Harold Rogers, interim CEO of Coupang Corp., arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's headquarters in central Seoul on Jan. 30, 2026, to be questioned about allegations of destruction of evidence in connection with a massive data breach at the company. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • This photo, released by the Associated Press, shows U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaking at a rally in Washington on Jan. 23, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This photo, released by the Associated Press, shows U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaking at a rally in Washington on Jan. 23, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Harold Rogers (R), interim CEO of Coupang Corp., speaks during a hearing on Coupang's massive breach of personal information at the National Assembly, in this file photo from Dec. 17, 2025. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Harold Rogers (R), interim CEO of Coupang Corp., speaks during a hearing on Coupang's massive breach of personal information at the National Assembly, in this file photo from Dec. 17, 2025. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Coupang Corp.'s headquarters in Seoul (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Coupang Corp.'s headquarters in Seoul (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Park Dae-jun (C), former CEO of Coupang Corp., arrives at the Mapo office of the Seoul Metropolitan Police on Feb. 3, 2026, to be questioned about allegations he gave false testimony during a parliamentary hearing last year. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Park Dae-jun (C), former CEO of Coupang Corp., arrives at the Mapo office of the Seoul Metropolitan Police on Feb. 3, 2026, to be questioned about allegations he gave false testimony during a parliamentary hearing last year. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Harold Rogers, interim chief executive officer (CEO) of Coupang Corp., speaks during a parliamentary hearing into the company's massive data breach at the National Assembly in western Seoul in this file photo taken Dec. 31, 2025. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Harold Rogers, interim chief executive officer (CEO) of Coupang Corp., speaks during a parliamentary hearing into the company's massive data breach at the National Assembly in western Seoul in this file photo taken Dec. 31, 2025. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Park Dae-jun (C), former CEO of Coupang Corp., arrives at the Mapo office of the Seoul Metropolitan Police on Feb. 3, 2026, to be questioned about allegations he gave false testimony during a parliamentary hearing last year. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Park Dae-jun (C), former CEO of Coupang Corp., arrives at the Mapo office of the Seoul Metropolitan Police on Feb. 3, 2026, to be questioned about allegations he gave false testimony during a parliamentary hearing last year. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • A pedestrian walks by a Coupang delivery van in Seoul, in this Dec. 29, 2025, file photo. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    A pedestrian walks by a Coupang delivery van in Seoul, in this Dec. 29, 2025, file photo. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Harold Rogers, interim CEO of Coupang Corp., arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's headquarters in central Seoul on Jan. 30, 2026, to be questioned about allegations of destruction of evidence in connection with a massive data breach at the company. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Harold Rogers, interim CEO of Coupang Corp., arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's headquarters in central Seoul on Jan. 30, 2026, to be questioned about allegations of destruction of evidence in connection with a massive data breach at the company. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Harold Rogers, interim CEO of Coupang Corp., arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's headquarters in central Seoul on Jan. 30, 2026, to be questioned about allegations of destruction of evidence in connection with a massive data breach at the company. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Harold Rogers, interim CEO of Coupang Corp., arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's headquarters in central Seoul on Jan. 30, 2026, to be questioned about allegations of destruction of evidence in connection with a massive data breach at the company. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Harold Rogers, interim CEO of Coupang Corp., arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's headquarters in central Seoul on Jan. 30, 2026, to be questioned about allegations of evidence destruction in connection with a massive data breach at the company. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Harold Rogers, interim CEO of Coupang Corp., arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's headquarters in central Seoul on Jan. 30, 2026, to be questioned about allegations of evidence destruction in connection with a massive data breach at the company. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Harold Rogers, interim CEO of Coupang Corp., arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's headquarters in central Seoul on Jan. 30, 2026, to be questioned about allegations of evidence destruction in connection to a massive data breach at the company. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Harold Rogers, interim CEO of Coupang Corp., arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's headquarters in central Seoul on Jan. 30, 2026, to be questioned about allegations of evidence destruction in connection to a massive data breach at the company. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Harold Rogers, interim chief executive officer (CEO) of Coupang Corp., speaks during a parliamentary hearing into the company's massive data breach at the National Assembly in western Seoul in this file photo taken Dec. 31, 2025. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Harold Rogers, interim chief executive officer (CEO) of Coupang Corp., speaks during a parliamentary hearing into the company's massive data breach at the National Assembly in western Seoul in this file photo taken Dec. 31, 2025. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Coupang Corp.'s headquarters in Seoul (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Coupang Corp.'s headquarters in Seoul (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • This photo, released by the Associated Press, shows U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaking at a rally in Washington on Jan. 23, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This photo, released by the Associated Press, shows U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaking at a rally in Washington on Jan. 23, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • A pedestrian walks by a Coupang delivery van in Seoul in this Dec. 29, 2025, file photo. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    A pedestrian walks by a Coupang delivery van in Seoul in this Dec. 29, 2025, file photo. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Harold Rogers (R), interim CEO of Coupang Corp., speaks during a hearing on Coupang's massive breach of personal information at the National Assembly, in this file photo from Dec. 17, 2025. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Harold Rogers (R), interim CEO of Coupang Corp., speaks during a hearing on Coupang's massive breach of personal information at the National Assembly, in this file photo from Dec. 17, 2025. (Yonhap) Source Full size

Park Dae‑jun Appears for Police Questioning on Perjury On Feb 3 2026 former Coupang chief executive Park Dae‑jun arrived at the Mapo office of the Seoul Metropolitan Police and was interrogated about statements he gave at a parliamentary hearing in Dec 2025 concerning the death of a logistics‑center worker [1]. Prosecutors allege he provided false testimony to conceal the circumstances of the fatal incident, constituting perjury [1]. The questioning follows a prior Jan 2026 interview about alleged lobbying by a lawmaker, indicating multiple investigations into his conduct [1]. Park resigned in Dec 2025 after a data breach exposed personal data of more than 33 million customers, intensifying regulatory scrutiny [1]. He told reporters he would “respond faithfully” to investigators [1].

Harold Rogers Faces Repeated Interrogations Over Data‑Breach Probe Interim CEO Harold Rogers was summoned to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on Jan 30 2026 and endured a 12‑hour interview about alleged evidence‑destruction linked to the massive data breach [3][4][5]. Police estimate the breach compromised nearly 33 million user accounts, far exceeding Coupang’s claim that only about 3,000 accounts were affected [3][4][5][7][10]. Rogers is also accused of perjury for asserting that the National Intelligence Service directed the company’s internal investigation, a claim the NIS denied [3][4][5]. After ignoring two earlier summonses, he left South Korea on Jan 1 2026 and returned the following week, prompting the latest questioning [3][4][5][7][10]. He pledged full cooperation while refusing to comment on the evidence‑destruction allegations [3][5][7].

Tax Agency Investigates Large‑Scale Transfers to U.S. Parent South Korea’s National Tax Service opened an in‑depth probe after audit data showed Coupang’s Korean unit transferred 939 billion won (≈US$620 million) to its U.S. headquarters in 2024 [2]. The audit also revealed related‑party outflows exceeding 2.5 trillion won from 2020‑2024, recorded under vague headings such as “service fees” and “royalties,” which hampers assessment of market‑price fairness [2]. Analysts suspect the structure shifts profit to the U.S. entity, potentially facilitating tax avoidance [2]. The tax investigation coincides with regulatory pressure from the data‑breach scandal and the former CEO’s perjury case [2].

U.S. Vice President Presses Seoul to Moderate Coupang Probes Vice President JD Vance warned South Korean officials on Jan 27‑29 2026 to “meaningfully soften” enforcement actions against Coupang and other U.S. tech firms, suggesting that harsh regulation could jeopardize the Korea‑U.S. Free Trade Agreement [6][9]. He signaled that continued scrutiny might trigger retaliatory tariff measures, echoing President Trump’s recent announcement of new reciprocal tariffs on South Korea [9]. Investors have petitioned the U.S. Trade Representative and signaled intent to pursue ISDS arbitration, alleging discriminatory treatment under the KORUS FTA [6][9]. Korean authorities maintain that Coupang, despite its U.S. incorporation, operates primarily in Korea and must obey domestic law, framing the investigations as routine enforcement rather than political targeting [6][9].

Sources

Timeline

Jun 24, 2025 – Unauthorized access to delivery‑related personal data begins on overseas servers, allowing a suspect to view basic identifiers for roughly 33 million accounts[29].

Nov 18, 2025 – Coupang discovers the breach and initially reports exposure of about 4,500 accounts, notifying authorities within two days[25].

Nov 30, 2025 – CEO Park Dae‑jun publicly apologizes, the Korean Science Ministry convenes an emergency inter‑agency meeting, and police identify a former Chinese employee as the primary suspect[25][26].

Dec 2, 2025 – Korean newspapers report that customers and former employees file class‑action lawsuits over the breach, while the ruling party announces a new special‑counsel probe into political misconduct[24].

Dec 5, 2025 – Daily active users fall to 17.78 million, marking the first post‑breach decline after the disclosure of 33.7 million compromised accounts[23].

Dec 6, 2025 – Coupang revises its public notice to label the incident a “data breach” after a government order and confirms no secondary damage has been detected[22].

Dec 9‑10, 2025 – Seoul Metropolitan Police conduct a two‑day raid on Coupang’s Songpa headquarters, seizing evidence and naming a Chinese national as the suspect in the breach[21].

Dec 18, 2025 – A pan‑government task force comprising the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Personal Information Protection Commission, and police is formed to investigate the breach and consider sanctions, including possible suspension of operations[20].

Dec 24, 2025 – Former Trump adviser Robert O’Brien posts on X that the National Assembly’s probe is “aggressive targeting” of a U.S. firm and urges a “strong, coordinated U.S. response”[3].

Dec 29, 2025 – Coupang unveils a 1.68‑trillion‑won compensation package, offering 50,000 won vouchers per affected user; founder Kim Bom‑suk issues his first public apology[15][16].

Dec 30, 2025 – The National Assembly grills interim CEO Harold Rogers for two days, critics label the voucher plan a promotional gimmick, and founder Kim Bom‑suk is absent, prompting accusations of insolence[14].

Dec 31, 2025 – The parliamentary hearing ends; Rogers departs South Korea on Jan 1, 2026, returning the following Wednesday amid scrutiny over alleged evidence‑destruction[6].

Jan 13, 2026 – U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith accuses Korea of “discriminatory targeting” of Coupang, while Rep. Carol Miller and policy expert Nigel Cory warn of broader digital‑trade restrictions[13].

Jan 15, 2026 – Coupang begins the gradual disbursement of 50,000‑won vouchers to the 33.7 million affected customers as outlined in the compensation plan[15].

Jan 18, 2026 – Cheong Wa Dae states the Coupang probe is a domestic matter, not a trade issue; Trade Minister Yeo Han‑koo meets U.S. lawmakers in Washington to reinforce this stance[12].

Jan 23, 2026 – Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok tells U.S. lawmakers there is “no discrimination” against Coupang, while U.S. investors Greenoaks and Altimeter announce arbitration plans and 135 civic groups schedule a press conference at the U.S. Embassy[11][9][10].

Jan 27, 2026 – U.S. Vice President JD Vance warns Prime Minister Kim “to avoid misunderstandings” over the Coupang investigation, emphasizing that the Seoul‑Washington relationship is “firm enough not to be swayed by a particular company’s lobbying”[8].

Jan 29, 2026 – Seoul police raid Coupang’s headquarters and social‑contribution office to obtain data on alleged political interference by ex‑lawmaker Kim Byung‑kee, following a Jan 8 interview of former CEO Park Dae‑jun[7].

Jan 29, 2026 – Interim CEO Harold Rogers is scheduled for police questioning at 2 p.m. on allegations of evidence‑destruction and testimony violations related to the breach[6].

Feb 1, 2026 – Coupang’s Korean unit transfers 939 billion won (≈US$620 million) to its U.S. parent, prompting a National Tax Service audit into possible profit‑shifting[5].

Feb 3, 2026 – Former CEO Park Dae‑jun appears at the Mapo office of Seoul Metropolitan Police, pledging “I will respond faithfully to the investigation” as investigators probe alleged perjury over a logistics worker’s death[4].

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