[2026 National Assembly Audit] Both Parties Slam Coupang Over 'On-Site Investigation Refusal' Controversy... Joo Byung-kee: 'Undermining Investigative Authority Would Harm the Public Interest'

Lawmakers from ruling and opposition parties call for a committee-level statement
Chairman Joo Byungkee: "No issues with the investigation procedures"

The National Assembly's National Policy Committee delivered a sharp rebuke to Coupang during its audit over the unprecedented incident in which the company categorically refused an on-site inspection by the Fair Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC also reiterated its resolve to respond firmly, saying that undermining its investigative authority would deal a severe blow to the public interest in protecting economically vulnerable parties. The National Assembly is expected to go further by issuing a joint statement across party lines and launching legislative discussions to address gaps in the system.

Fair Trade Commission Chairman Ju Byeonggi gives a work report during a parliamentary audit at the National Assembly on the 12th. Yonhap News.

At the National Policy Committee's audit on October 12, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Min Byung-deok cited the incident in which Coupang blocked the FTC from entering its premises, demanding that the agency prove there was a risk of evidence destruction. "Coupang is showing an arrogant, high-handed attitude toward the public authority of the Republic of Korea," he said. Min called it "an extremely troubling signal that could lead to a chain reaction of other retailers refusing investigations," and urged the committee to "send a strong warning from the National Assembly by adopting a stern commentary or resolution in the name of the committee chair or the ruling and opposition parties' floor leaders, going beyond a response by the FTC alone."

People Power Party lawmaker Park Sung-hoon fully agreed with Min and pointed out that this was the first time since the Large-Scale Retail Business Act took effect in 2012 that an FTC on-site investigation had been thwarted by a company's refusal. "Coupang reaps enormous profits and all kinds of benefits in Korea, yet hides behind the shield of being a U.S. company only when it wants to distance itself and evade responsibility," Park said. "Listing on a U.S. stock exchange must not become a privileged license to disregard the laws and institutions of the Republic of Korea." He also stressed that the committee should issue a strong, unified position across party lines.

FTC Chairman Joo Byung-kee expressed deep agreement on the gravity of the incident and emphasized his commitment to enforcing the law in accordance with principle. "The laws enforced by the FTC are the last line of defense for protecting the rights and interests of economically vulnerable parties, and investigative authority is where that protection begins," Joo said. He expressed concern, saying, "The Framework Act on Administrative Investigations and other laws clearly stipulate that investigations may be conducted without prior notice when there is a risk of evidence destruction. The courts, too, have already recognized the importance of the rights and interests protected by the FTC's enforcement of the law. If an application to suspend the exercise of investigative authority is granted, making enforcement of the relevant laws impossible, the severe adverse impact on the public interest would be entirely foreseeable."

National Policy Committee Chair Yoo Dong-soo instructed the ruling and opposition parties' floor leaders to discuss an official response by the committee to Coupang's refusal to cooperate with the investigation. "It may also be necessary to consider legislative changes to further strengthen the procedural legitimacy of the FTC's on-site investigations, so that companies under investigation cannot undermine them under the pretext that the agency must prove a risk of evidence destruction," Yoo said.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.