Coupang said on Monday it will provide compensation worth 1.69 trillion won ($1.18 billion) to users affected by a large-scale data breach, offering 50,000 won vouchers to holders of 33.7 million accounts. The announcement follows weeks of backlash from customers and scrutiny from lawmakers over the incident.
The compensation plan comes a day after Coupang founder Kim Bom issued his first public apology for last month’s breach and pledged to accelerate remedies. Kim, however, will not attend parliamentary hearings scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, citing prior commitments.
Criticism has intensified over the form of compensation. The vouchers can be used only across Coupang’s own services and platforms, prompting accusations that the company is steering restitution back into its ecosystem. Choi Min-hee, a lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party and chair of the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communication committee, said in a Facebook post that Coupang was “bundling coupons for services no one uses,” arguing the move attempts to turn a crisis into a business opportunity.
Consumer advocates echoed the concern. The Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations said the plan trivializes the severity of the breach and resembles a marketing tactic designed to drive additional purchases rather than genuine restitution. When asked to respond to the criticism, Coupang said it had no further comment.
South Korea’s parliament is set to hold two days of hearings on the matter beginning Tuesday, keeping pressure on the company as questions mount over accountability, consumer protection, and the adequacy of the compensation.
