Bom Kim, the chief govt of Coupang, Inc., towards the backdrop of an organization quarterly submitting. (Hankyoreh graphic)
Amid repeated calls for for Kim Bom-suk, the chairman of US-based Coupang Inc. —the mum or dad firm of Korean on-line retailer Coupang Corp. — to take duty for a leak of the private info of 33.7 million prospects, the Hankyoreh has discovered that Kim is listed because the “chief working resolution maker” of Korean operations within the firm’s regulatory submitting within the US.
That information seems to contradict Coupang CEO Park Dae-jun’s declare that, as CEO, he’s the one liable for Coupang’s Korean operation — a declare he has used to rebut calls for for Kim to take duty for the surprising knowledge leak.
The quarterly report (Kind 10-Q) that Coupang Inc., which holds a 100% stake within the Korean Coupang Corp., filed with the US Securities and Change Fee final month, states that “we personal and function a retail enterprise that primarily serves the Korean retail market together with different worldwide markets. The Chief Working Determination Maker (‘CODM’) is our Chief Govt Officer.”
The CEO of Coupang Inc. is none apart from Kim Bom-suk, who goes by Bom Kim within the US.
The quarterly report makes clear that Kim is accountable for making key choices — together with managing enterprise, distributing sources, selecting operations and assessing efficiency — within the Korean market.
However 5 days since information broke concerning the leak of non-public info of 33.7 million Coupang prospects in Korea, Kim has not made any form of assertion.
In 2021, Kim stepped down from his place as chair and registered director of Coupang Korea in order that he may deal with international enterprise operations. However he maintains his place as chairman of the board of Coupang Inc.
That’s why Kim, an American nationwide, is being accused of attempting to move the buck to Park Dae-jun, the Korean nationwide who’s CEO of Coupang Corp. in Korea.
A portion of Coupang Inc.’s quarterly report back to the US Securities and Change Fee on Nov. 4, 2025.
“I haven’t met [Kim] in Korea this yr. That’s as a result of, as CEO, I’m liable for our Korean enterprise and am accountable for these operations,” Park mentioned throughout a listening to on the Nationwide Meeting’s Nationwide Coverage Committee on Wednesday.
Park had already fielded lawmakers’ questions throughout a Tuesday assembly of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee. “Since this occurred at our Korean firm, it’s my duty,” he mentioned. The chief’s remarks indicate that since Park is accountable for Coupang’s Korean operations, Kim will not be liable for the private info leak.
By Park Jong-o, workers reporter
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