It was learned today (September 16) that Coupang has rejected a mediation proposal from the Korea Consumer Agency's Consumer Dispute Mediation Committee, which called on the company to pay 100,000 won per person in compensation to customers affected by a personal data leak late last year.

On September 11, Coupang delivered its written refusal to accept the mediation proposal to the Consumer Dispute Mediation Committee.

Coupang explained, "We carefully reviewed the mediation proposal but ultimately reached the conclusion that acceptance is difficult." The company added, "This is a prudent decision made by comprehensively considering the preemptive efforts we have made so far, as well as the internal and external ripple effects that accepting the mediation proposal would bring."

After 50 consumers filed for a group dispute mediation regarding last year's personal data leak incident, the mediation committee deliberated on the case and recognized Coupang's liability to pay damages for mental distress.

Had Coupang accepted the mediation proposal, victims who did not participate in the group dispute mediation could have also been made eligible for the same compensation, which would have required paying approximately 3.7 trillion won in compensation in this case.

It is interpreted that Coupang decided it could not accept the mediation proposal because it has already implemented a voluntary compensation plan amounting to 1.685 trillion won, which included providing 50,000 won worth of shopping vouchers per person to the 33.7 million individuals whose personal information was leaked.

The Safe Coupang Joint Action, which includes organizations such as People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, held a press conference on the same day and criticized Coupang's rejection of the mediation recommendation, stating, "It amounts to an attitude of intending to dispute further responsibility with victims through civil lawsuits," and calling it "impudent."