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South Korean lawmakers are considering drastic measures against Coupang Chairman Kim Beom-seok and his brother, Coupang Vice President Kim Yoo-seok, following a notable data leak. the Democratic Party is pushing for the “strongest possible action,” including possibly invoking the Immigration Control Act to ban them from entering the country.
Key Developments:
- Kim Beom-seok and his brother, Coupang Vice President Kim Yoo-seok, have excused themselves from the hearing due to overseas commitments.
- The Democratic Party argues Coupang has shown a dismissive attitude toward addressing the data leak.
- Lawmakers are citing a provision in the Immigration Control Act that allows for entry bans if a foreigner poses a threat to economic or social order.
- A government investigation into the data leak is also being pursued.
Democratic Party floor spokesperson kim Hyun-jeong stated on December 28th,during a meeting with reporters at the National Assembly dialog center,that the party had received a letter from Kim Beom-seok and his brother explaining their absence. “We have confirmed once again that Coupang’s indifferent attitude cannot be tolerated,” Kim Hyun-jeong said,adding that the party intends to pursue “the strongest possible action.”
spokesperson Kim pointed to the possibility of invoking the Immigration Control Act, which allows the Minister of Justice to prohibit entry for foreigners deemed likely to harm the nation’s economic or social stability.Singer Yoo Seung-jun was previously barred from entering the country under similar circumstances, and the party is evaluating whether that precedent applies here.
Article 11 (Section 1, No. 4) of the Immigration Control Act specifically states that entry can be denied to foreigners “who have significant grounds to believe that they may engage in behavior that may harm economic or social order or harm good morals.” Kim Hyun-jeong emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “We are in a situation where we have no choice but to take the maximum measures possible.”
Joint hearing Scheduled, Despite Absence of Key Witnesses
The National assembly has scheduled a joint hearing on the Coupang data leak, involving six standing committees, including the Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and communications Committee, for December 30th and 31st. However, both Chairman Kim Beom-seok and his brother, Coupang Vice President Kim Yoo-seok, have submitted written statements excusing their absence, citing their current location abroad and scheduling conflicts.
The People Power Party has refused to participate in the scheduled joint hearing, arguing that a government investigation woudl be more appropriate. In response, Kim Hyun-jeong explained that the joint hearing requires the consent of each standing committee chair, and that three committees chaired by the People Power Party had withheld that consent.
The Democratic Party also plans to formally request a government investigation into the Coupang personal information leak on December 29th. “We are planning to submit a request for a government investigation tomorrow (29th),” Kim Hyun-jeong said. “The party’s position is that we will hold a joint hearing and, if that fails, a government investigation. The People Power Party also said, ‘Let’s conduct a government investigation,’ so we expect that the People Power Party will also participate at that time