Harold Rogers Endured 12‑Hour Interrogation as Police Probe Massive Coupang Data Breach
Updated (6 articles)
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Image: Yonhap -
Image: Yonhap
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Image: Yonhap
Extended 12‑Hour Police Interrogation Highlights Evidence‑Destruction Allegations Harold Rogers, interim CEO of Coupang, was questioned for twelve consecutive hours by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on 31 January, focusing on accusations that the company destroyed or concealed evidence related to the breach; he left the station at 2:22 a.m. without confirming any admission or intent to flee [1].
Police Estimate Breach Impacted Approximately 33 Million Users, Far Exceeding Company Claim Authorities contend the leak exposed personal data of roughly 33 million customers, contrasting sharply with Coupang’s public statement that only 3,000 accounts were compromised; the science ministry also labeled the company’s disclosure as “one‑sided” [1][2][4][6].
Rogers Ignored Two Prior Summonses, Departed Korea on Jan 1, and Returned Ahead of Questioning After a two‑day parliamentary hearing on 31 December 2025, Rogers left South Korea on 1 January, ignoring police subpoenas issued on 5 and 14 January; he re‑entered the country the following Wednesday, prompting a third summons and raising the prospect of an arrest warrant if non‑compliance persists [1][3][5][6].
Authorities Accuse Rogers of Tampering Evidence and Perjury Over NIS Involvement Investigators are scrutinizing a laptop recovered in China that Coupang allegedly examined independently before handing it to police, suggesting possible evidence tampering; Rogers also faces perjury charges for claiming the National Intelligence Service directed the internal probe—a claim the NIS denies—and for ordering a 2020 logistics‑center report to shield the firm from liability [1][2][3][4].
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: Coupang interim CEO Harold Rogers questioned for 12 hours over data‑breach probe: details the twelve‑hour interrogation, police estimates of 33 million affected users, and perjury accusations concerning the NIS .
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2.
Yonhap: Coupang interim CEO Harold Rogers summoned for police questioning on data‑breach probe: outlines evidence‑destruction allegations, Rogers’ defiance of summonses, and his brief departure from South Korea .
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3.
Yonhap: Coupang interim CEO Harold Rogers questioned over alleged evidence destruction in massive data breach: reports Rogers’ first compliance after ignoring two subpoenas and his pledge to cooperate while refusing comment on specific accusations .
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4.
Yonhap: Coupang Interim CEO Harold Rogers to Face Police Questioning Over Data Breach: notes scheduled questioning, police estimate of 33 million users, and criticism from the science ministry over the company’s limited breach figures .
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5.
Yonhap: Coupang Interim CEO Harold Rogers to Face Police Questioning on Friday: emphasizes Rogers’ role as interim CEO, his non‑compliance with earlier summonses, and the breach’s impact on roughly 33 million customers .
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6.
Yonhap: Police Say Data Leak Affects Over 30 Million Coupang Users: provides police estimate of over 30 million compromised accounts, mentions potential arrest warrant for continued non‑compliance, and highlights the discrepancy with the company’s 3,000‑account claim .
Timeline
Dec 25, 2025 – Coupang announces that a former Chinese employee stole personal information from 33 million users but only 3,000 records were saved, sparking the breach controversy and prompting police scrutiny [3].
Dec 30‑31, 2025 – A two‑day parliamentary hearing in the National Assembly examines the data leak affecting roughly 33 million customers; interim CEO Harold Rogers attends the hearing before departing the country [6][5].
Jan 1, 2026 – Rogers leaves South Korea a day after the hearing, ignoring two earlier police summonses and raising questions about his willingness to cooperate with investigators [2][5][6].
Jan 5, 2026 – Police issue the first summons for Rogers to appear for questioning about the breach; he fails to attend, prompting a second summons [3].
Jan 14, 2026 – A second police summons is served on Rogers; he again remains abroad, leading authorities to consider a third request [3].
Jan 23, 2026 – Rogers reenters South Korea, positioning himself for the upcoming police interview after weeks of non‑compliance [6].
Jan 27, 2026 – Sources report that Rogers will comply with a third summons and appear for questioning on Friday, Jan 30, as police aim to clarify the breach’s cause and scope [6].
Jan 29, 2026 – Police schedule Rogers for a 2 p.m. interrogation on Friday, focusing on alleged evidence‑destruction, the company’s down‑playing of the breach, and a possible perjury violation over his claim that the National Intelligence Service directed the internal probe; the science ministry publicly criticizes the company’s limited leak figure [5].
Jan 30, 2026 – Rogers appears before the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, endures a 12‑hour interrogation, pledges full cooperation, and is questioned about a laptop recovered in China, alleged evidence tampering, and his NIS testimony; police maintain their estimate that nearly 33 million accounts were compromised, far exceeding the company’s 3,000‑account claim [1][2][4].
Jan 31, 2026 – After the 12‑hour interview, Rogers emerges at 2:22 am without confirming admission or intent to leave the country; prosecutors also allege he ordered a 2020 logistics‑center report to shield Coupang from liability and face perjury accusations over his NIS statements [1].