With the launch of the new government, Coupang is speeding up its organizational restructuring. Coupang has transitioned from a dual leadership system under CEO Kang Sung and Park Dae-jun last month to a single leadership system led by Park Dae-jun, and is overhauling its National Assembly liaison organization. Additionally, there are plans to establish a social contribution committee under the Chief Executive Officer.
According to the industry on the 10th, Coupang has recruited former Dong-A Ilbo editorial writer Gil Jin-kyun as an executive responsible for National Assembly relations. Executive Gil previously served as the political news department head at the Dong-A Ilbo during his tenure and will oversee liaison work at Coupang. Furthermore, Coupang will also establish a social contribution committee. The company has reportedly informed some aides of National Assembly members about the organizational restructuring plan and is proposing recruitment. There is a possibility that Executive Gil may take charge of the committee.
In the market, many see that the new government’s establishment could lead to the serious advancement of the Distribution Industry Development Act (hereinafter referred to as the Distribution Act) and the Online Platform Fairness Act (hereinafter referred to as the Online Platform Act), which had been postponed, thus Coupang is restructuring its 'communication channel' with the National Assembly. Additionally, it is interpreted that the company intends to systematically pursue corporate social responsibility management that aligns with the economic policy stance of the new government by establishing a social contribution committee.
A business community source noted, 'There is no obligation under commercial law to establish an organization related to sustainable management; however, companies facing governance issues, owner risk, and other social problems have been known to create social contribution committees to revitalise their image.'
Coupang, which operates e-commerce by selling products on online platforms and delivery applications, is entangled with various ministries, including the Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Fair Trade Commission.
In particular, the new government is ready to strengthen related policies. President Lee Jae-myung stated in his election pledge that he would push for the enactment of the Online Platform Act and the revision of the 'yellow envelope law' (an amendment to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act) to grant collective bargaining rights to subcontracted workers. Recently, the Fair Trade Commission conducted an on-site investigation regarding Coupang's paid membership, Wow Membership, to assess possible monopoly issues.
Accordingly, there is a trend of officials from the Fair Trade Commission and Ministry of Employment and Labor being recruited into Coupang. An industry source remarked, 'With signs of the new government’s movement toward stricter regulations in the distribution industry becoming apparent, Coupang seems to be preparing various response measures accordingly.'