Coupang Founder Defends Labor Practices After Worker Death Amid Growing Exploitation Scrutiny
Updated (2 articles)
Founder’s public response follows fatal warehouse incident The founder of Coupang urged the public not to erase records of hard work after a warehouse employee died on the job, emphasizing the company’s commitment to safety and transparency[1]. The statement arrived a day after media highlighted the paradox of Coupang’s rapid growth built on alleged labor exploitation[2]. Critics note the remark contrasts with earlier reports of demanding work conditions and high turnover rates at the e‑commerce giant[2].
Government moves to strengthen collective bargaining for SMEs The Seoul Shinmun reported that the administration will pursue policy changes enabling collective bargaining for small and midsized firms[1]. This initiative follows labor‑rights concerns such as street cleaners refusing to report injuries and complaints about an overnight delivery ban limiting workers’ rights[2]. Officials aim to balance economic growth with improved labor protections amid rising union activity[2].
Democratic Party revises insurrection tribunal proposal The Kookmin Daily detailed the Democratic Party’s decision to modify its plan for a special insurrection tribunal after constitutional experts raised objections[2]. The revision includes expanding senior judges’ nomination powers and situating the tribunal at the appeals stage to address legal challenges[2]. Lawmakers continue debating the tribunal’s scope while seeking to safeguard democratic institutions[2].
Elderly financial abuse and guardianship trends surface Donga Ilbo revealed financial exploitation in 54 of 321 nursing homes, highlighting vulnerabilities of dementia patients[2]. The same outlet noted that 229 Koreans have designated guardians before a dementia diagnosis, a figure far lower than Japan’s 120,000, underscoring gaps in protective measures[1]. Advocacy groups call for stricter oversight and support services for the aging population[2].
Sources
-
1.
Yonhap (Article 1): Top Headlines in Major S. Korean Newspapers – Summarizes Dec 18 news, emphasizing Coupang founder’s remarks, government collective‑bargaining policy, and a rare Unification Church DMZ statement.
-
2.
Yonhap (Article 2): Top Headlines in Major South Korean Newspapers on Dec. 17 – Highlights Coupang’s exploitation paradox, Democratic Party’s tribunal revision, elder‑care financial abuse, and various labor‑market issues.
Related Tickers
Timeline
2022‑2025 – The South Korean military dispatches propaganda leaflets to North Korea 23 times during the term of the former president, illustrating the ongoing low‑intensity information warfare on the peninsula [1].
2025 – Only 229 Koreans pre‑designate guardians before a dementia diagnosis, a stark contrast to Japan’s ≈120,000 cases, highlighting Korea’s limited early‑care planning culture [1].
Dec 17, 2025 – The Democratic Party revises its plan for a special insurrection tribunal, citing constitutional concerns and expanding judge nomination powers to senior judges nationwide [2].
Dec 17, 2025 – An investigation uncovers financial exploitation in 54 of 321 Korean nursing homes, exposing systemic abuse of elderly dementia patients [2].
Dec 17, 2025 – President Lee urges a review of health‑insurance policies that penalize patients who decline life‑sustaining treatment, framing the issue as a matter of patient autonomy [2].
Dec 17, 2025 – Kyunghyang Shinmun labels Coupang’s rapid rise a “paradox” built on labor exploitation, underscoring tensions between convenience‑driven growth and worker rights [2].
Dec 17, 2025 – Street cleaners report a 70 % reluctance to inform employers of injuries or illness, while delivery firms protest an overnight‑delivery ban that they claim restricts workers’ right to earn [2].
Dec 17, 2025 – The Korean IPO market heats up toward year‑end, with a surge in listings that signals strong investor confidence despite broader economic headwinds [2].
Dec 17, 2025 – Analysts speculate about a possible Trump‑Kim summit in 2026, suggesting a high‑profile diplomatic overture could reshape U.S.–Korea–North relations [2].
Dec 17, 2025 – Plans emerge for a new U.S.–South Korea policy body and a joint growth fund targeting AI and semiconductor development, indicating deepening strategic cooperation [2].
Dec 18, 2025 – Lee calls for legislation that enables franchise operators and suppliers to act collectively, aiming to strengthen bargaining power for small business networks [1].
Dec 18, 2025 – The government announces it will pursue policy changes to permit collective bargaining for small and midsized firms, marking a shift toward broader labor‑rights reforms [1].
Dec 18, 2025 – Coupang founder Kim Bom Sung says, “We must not erase the records of hard work,” after a warehouse worker’s death, defending the company’s labor practices amid criticism [1].
Dec 18, 2025 – The Unification Church issues a rare public statement on DMZ access control, signaling its willingness to engage in inter‑Korean security discourse [1].
Dec 18, 2025 – Yonhap’s roundup notes the military’s 23 leaflet drops to the North, reinforcing the continuity of psychological‑operations tactics despite diplomatic fluctuations [1].