South Korea’s e-commerce giant Coupang confirms data breach affecting 33.7 million users – what was compromised

What did the Coupang chief say?

Park Dae jun, chief executive of the e-commerce giant often likened to Amazon in South Korea, posted an apology on the firm’s website, expressing regret for the distress caused to customers. He said the company is working closely with police and regulators as investigations continue.

Government launches investigation

The breach has prompted an emergency government meeting, with the Ministry of Science and ICT reviewing whether Coupang violated national data protection rules. Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said officials are assessing the company’s security practices and compliance with personal information safeguards.

Details of the Coupang data breach

Coupang revealed that it discovered the breach on 18 November and immediately notified authorities. The retailer said customer names, phone numbers, email addresses, shipping details and parts of order histories were compromised. Payment information and login credentials were not affected.

Former employee suspected

Local media outlet Yonhap reported that police are investigating a former Chinese employee of Coupang in connection with the incident. The company has reportedly filed a complaint with law enforcement, although no further details have been made public.

Wider concerns over corporate security

The intrusion adds to a growing list of data leaks affecting major South Korean firms, including telecoms operators. Cybersecurity officials have warned that incidents of this scale highlight persistent vulnerabilities across corporate networks.

Key Takeaways

• Data breaches can expose sensitive personal information, necessitating vigilance from users.
• Companies must prioritize cybersecurity to protect customer data and avoid legal repercussions.
• Government oversight is crucial in enforcing data protection compliance among corporations.