**Coupang Announces 1.69 Trillion Won Compensation for Data Breach**
South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang has unveiled a compensation plan amounting to 1.69 trillion won for approximately 33.7 million account holders affected by a significant data breach. Each impacted customer will receive company vouchers valued at 50,000 won. This announcement follows a public apology from Coupang’s founder, Kim Bom, who expressed regret over the incident and committed to accelerating compensation efforts.
Despite the company’s intentions, criticism has arisen regarding the decision to issue vouchers that can only be redeemed on Coupang’s platforms. Lawmaker Choi Min-hee, who chairs the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communication committee, criticized the move on social media, suggesting that Coupang is “bundling coupons for services no one uses.” She accused the company of attempting to leverage the crisis for business gain rather than genuinely addressing the concerns of affected customers.
Consumer advocacy group Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations also condemned Coupang’s compensation strategy, arguing that it trivializes the seriousness of the data breach. They characterized the vouchers as a marketing tactic aimed at driving further purchases rather than a sincere effort at restitution.
In response to the growing backlash, Coupang has refrained from commenting further on the criticism surrounding its compensation plan. Meanwhile, South Korea’s parliament is set to conduct two days of hearings regarding the data breach, beginning Tuesday.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Coupang will address the concerns of its users and lawmakers alike.
**FAQ**
**What is Coupang’s compensation plan for the data breach?**
Coupang is offering 50,000 won vouchers to 33.7 million account holders affected by a data breach, totaling 1.69 trillion won in compensation.
