South Korea’s largest e-commerce company, Coupang, is facing a major crisis after one of the country’s biggest data breaches. The company confirmed that personal information of more than 33 million users was leaked. This incident has raised nationwide concern about digital safety. Public pressure increased quickly after the news became official.
Coupang announced that its South Korean CEO, Park Dae-jun, has resigned. He stepped down after accepting responsibility for the massive data leak. His resignation came as criticism grew over how the company handled the situation. An interim leader from the company’s global team has now taken charge.
The leaked data includes names, phone numbers, email addresses, delivery addresses, and parts of order histories. Coupang stated that no credit card numbers or login passwords were exposed. However, the leaked information is still highly sensitive. Experts warn it could be used for scams or phishing.
Investigations revealed that the breach started around June and went unnoticed for nearly five months. It was finally discovered in late November, long after the attackers accessed the system. This long gap has raised serious questions about Coupang’s internal security. Many customers expressed shock at how long the breach continued.
South Korean police raided Coupang’s headquarters in Seoul as part of a criminal investigation. Authorities are collecting evidence to understand how the leak took place. Police believe a former Coupang employee may be involved. Reports indicate the person may have used old system access that was not properly removed.
Government officials have strongly criticized the company’s slow response. The Prime Minister called for a full investigation and stronger cybersecurity rules. The President described the leak as a warning for the entire country. Lawmakers are now planning discussions on stricter data-protection measures.
Coupang has apologized to its customers and promised to strengthen its security. The company says it will fully cooperate with police and government agencies. Its new interim leadership aims to rebuild user trust. Improving system monitoring and employee access controls is now a top priority.
The incident has sparked a nationwide debate about online safety. It shows how vulnerable even large tech companies can be to long-term breaches. Customers are being urged to stay alert for suspicious messages or scams. For Coupang, the coming months will be crucial in restoring confidence.
Stay alert, and keep your security measures updated!
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