Lawmakers slam Coupang for refusing to cooperate with antitrust probe

Lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties expressed their disapproval on Monday for e-commerce giant Coupang's refusal to allow an on-site investigation by the antitrust regulator. The incident, which took place during a parliamentary audit of the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) at the National Assembly in Seoul, has raised concerns about the potential impact on law enforcement and prompted calls for stricter regulations to prevent companies from obstructing investigations.

Min Byoung-dug, a representative from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), criticized Coupang for blocking investigators from entering its premises. He questioned whether the company should be allowed to treat Korea's public authorities with such disregard, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for other retailers. Min also urged the committee to issue a resolution or statement condemning Coupang's actions.

Coupang's refusal to cooperate with the FTC's on-site investigation in August stemmed from suspicions of potential violations of the law governing e-commerce activities.