Labor ministry forms task force linking breach to labor violations The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced a dedicated task force to examine alleged workplace‑law breaches at Coupang, citing the recent data breach that exposed 33.7 million users—about two‑thirds of the population. Officials said the breach prompted a broader review of the e‑commerce giant’s labor practices and signaled “stern” enforcement if violations are confirmed [1]. The ministry’s statement framed the investigation as punitive, emphasizing zero tolerance for illegal dispatch or concealed industrial accidents.

Police create 86‑member unit to scrutinize twenty separate complaints Seoul’s Metropolitan Police Agency deployed an 86‑member task force to investigate 20 Coupang‑related cases, including three worker deaths presumed linked to overwork, five alleged blacklisting incidents, and multiple data‑breach accusations [2]. The unit is also reviewing two secondary‑damage cases and analyzing internal whistleblower data to assess information‑security practices. Authorities described the probe as expanding as new evidence emerges, underscoring the breadth of alleged misconduct.

Investigators focus on illegal dispatch, performance‑based layoffs, and settlement pressure Both task forces will probe reports that Coupang used illegal temporary‑staff dispatch arrangements, potentially stripping workers of statutory protections [1]. They will also examine internal programs designed to dismiss low‑performing employees and allegations that the company pressured the family of an overwork‑linked deceased worker to accept a settlement that barred compensation claims [1]. These lines of inquiry aim to determine whether corporate policies systematically violated industrial‑accident and labor‑rights statutes.

Potential penalties range from administrative fines to criminal charges The labor ministry warned it could pursue administrative penalties or criminal prosecution depending on the task force’s findings [1]. Police investigators indicated that any confirmed illegal practices could lead to further legal action against executives and the corporation. Together, the coordinated government response signals heightened regulatory scrutiny of one of South Korea’s largest private employers.