Government Calls Emergency Meeting on Coupang Breach The presidential office summoned a ministerial‑level emergency meeting on December 25, chaired by chief of staff Kim Yong‑beom. Attendees included Science Minister Bae Kyung‑hoon, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, officials from the National Security Office, the National Police Agency, and the Personal Information Protection Commission chair[1][2]. The gathering aimed to coordinate a rapid response across investigative and regulatory bodies[1][2].

President Lee’s Prior Criticism Sets Tone for Response Earlier in December, President Lee Jae Myung publicly rebuked Coupang at a finance ministry briefing, saying the company’s leadership “is not afraid of punishment.” His remarks framed the government’s tough stance and heightened scrutiny of the e‑commerce giant[1][2]. The criticism was cited as context for the emergency meeting’s urgency[2].

Holiday Timing Signals High‑Level Urgency Officials scheduled the meeting on a public holiday, underscoring the issue’s priority despite the season. Both reports note that the holiday timing reflects the administration’s seriousness and the need for swift coordination[1][2]. The presence of senior diplomats and security officials signals concerns extending beyond data protection to diplomatic and national‑security implications[1][2].

Coupang’s Recovery Claim and Employee Confession Remain Disputed Coupang announced it had recovered all leaked personal data for roughly 3,000 customers and asserted no information left the company, but the government labeled the statement a unilateral claim pending joint investigation results[1]. The company also identified a former employee who allegedly confessed to accessing the data and provided a detailed account of the breach[1]. The second article does not mention these developments, highlighting a discrepancy in reported details[2].