[Anchor]

At the parliamentary audit of the Fair Trade Commission, both the ruling and opposition parties united in criticizing Coupang for refusing an on-site FTC investigation. The Coupang executive vice president who appeared as a witness responded that it was a legitimate exercise of the right to legal remedy.

Reporter Jeong Seong-jin has the details.

[Reporter]

From the start of the Fair Trade Commission's parliamentary audit, criticisms poured out against Coupang for refusing the FTC's on-site investigation.

[Min Byung-duk / Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker]: If they show such a high-handed attitude, other retail companies will follow suit. It will set a very bad first precedent....

[Park Sung-hoon / People Power Party lawmaker]: I believe that listing on the U.S. stock market must not become a preferential license system that ignores our laws and systems.

In August, Coupang refused an on-site FTC investigation regarding suspicions that it shifted discount costs onto suppliers, and instead filed a cancellation lawsuit and an injunction request.

This is the first case in which an on-site FTC investigation has fallen through since the relevant law took effect.

FTC Chairperson Joo Byung-ki stated that he views this situation very gravely as it makes the enforcement of the Fair Trade Act—the last bastion for economically vulnerable people—impossible, and the National Assembly decided to consider legislation to prevent such controversies from recurring.

Appearing as a witness, the Coupang executive vice president repeatedly maintained that it was a legal remedy procedure rather than a refusal to investigate.

[Lee Kang-il / Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker]: Is there anyone in South Korea who would say this is not a direct challenge to South Korea's public authority? What is the reason for so desperately blocking the on-site investigation? Does Chairman Kim Bom-suk make the decision, or who decides?

[Joo Sung-won / Coupang Executive Vice President]: It was decided through internal discussions.

Starting from the point that dispute mediation reports related to Coupang and Coupang Eats have approached 1,000 cases over the past five years, suspicions of passing on promotional costs and compensation issues regarding the recent service outage of Coupang and Coupang Eats also came under fire.

[Joo Byung-ki / Fair Trade Commission Chairperson]: I believe that as Coupang grows as a corporation, it must fulfill its social responsibilities and become a company that protects the rights and interests of the vulnerable.

Suspicions were also raised that Baemin (Baedal Minjok) forced client restaurants not to participate in other delivery app promotional events during its own promotional period.

Meanwhile, amid soaring oil prices triggered by the recent Middle East situation, executives of SK Energy and HD Hyundai Oilbank, who face suspicions of price-fixing, appeared at the audit and apologized.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
(Video by Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing by Wi Won-yang)