Coupang faces 100,000 won payout per victim over data breach – The Korea Herald

Business Coupang faces 100,000 won payout per victim over data breach
Published : July 31, 2026 – 16:25:32
Add The Korea Herald on Google

Link copied!
Covering Korean law
and education
Coupang was ordered to compensate victims of a major personal data leak with 100,000 won ($70) each in either cash or Coupang Cash, South Korea’s Consumer Dispute Settlement Commission ruled Friday, marking the first case in which the e-commerce company has been found liable for damages over such a breach.
The commission said it reached the decision after reviewing a collective dispute mediation request filed by 50 consumers affected by last year’s leak.
It found Coupang liable for emotional distress, citing the nature of the information exposed and the possibility of actual misuse.

Data of nearly entire consumer base stolen
E-commerce giant Coupang admitted in December 2025 to the leak of personal information related to 33.7 million users — nearly its entire customer base. A subsequent government probe found the actual number of people affected could be as high as 37.56 million.
The leaked data included not only names, email addresses and home addresses, but also information closely tied to private life, such as apartment entrance passwords and order histories.
The commission noted in Friday’s ruling that hackers had extracted information over an extended period and, in some cases, directly emailed customers, indicating that the data could have been misused.
Although Coupang argued there remains no possibility of additional leaks, the commission said that could not be conclusively established.
It set compensation at 100,000 won per person, taking into account past court rulings that have generally awarded around that amount in such extensive data breach cases, the sensitivity of the leaked information and Coupang’s failure to submit data on the actual use of its own compensation program.
Applicants may choose to receive the compensation in cash or Coupang Cash.
Coupang must notify the commission within 15 days of receiving the decision whether it accepts the proposed settlement. If the company does not respond, it will be deemed to have accepted it.
If both sides accept the mediation, the agreement will carry the same legal effect as a court settlement.
Should Coupang accept the decision, the commission plans to proceed with follow-up measures aimed at extending the same compensation to other victims who did not participate in the collective dispute mediation.
If all 37.56 million affected individuals were to seek compensation at the same rate, the total payout could reach about 3.7 trillion won.
The Personal Information Protection Commission in June imposed 624.68 billion won in fines and 16.8 million won in administrative penalties on Coupang over the leak and other violations, including the collection of personal information without a legal basis.
The penalty was the largest ever imposed in Korea for violations of the Personal Information Protection Act.
Coupang had previously offered 50,000 won shopping vouchers to 33.7 million people whose personal information was exposed after the breach was disclosed in January.
Coupang said it would closely review the Consumer Dispute Settlement Commission’s proposal after receiving the formal decision.
SK hynix hits daily limit as chip stocks extend dramatic rebound
SK hynix shares hit their daily upper limit Friday, as South Korean chipmakers extended a sharp rebound following a recent market rout. The stock surged 29.95 percent to 1,718,000 won ($1,203) in afte
Questions arise over possible communication gap between allies after US drone incident
US FDA clears new sunscreen ingredient. K-beauty's turn is still ahead
Monkey bites Korean tourist at Taj Mahal; hourlong ambulance delay sparks outrage
Choi Jae-rim is building self-esteem, onstage and off
Korea, Morocco highlight growing partnership on Throne Day
Diplomatic Circuit
So Ji-sub on 'Agent Kim Reactivated' breakout, being called Korea's Liam Neeson
Herald Interview
Quick Read
Latest business news, delivered in a 2-minute read
Survive & Thrive
A guide to living in South Korea for those new to the country
Side Quests
Small opportunities, events and tips for international residents in Korea
Inside Gen Z
Giving Korea’s new generation a voice
Is Homeplus built for Trader Joe's playbook?
How leveraged chip ETFs magnified Korea’s market swings
How will Chey Tae-won pay his W944b divorce bill?
Kospi crashes below 5,300 as sell-off intensifies
SK hynix posts record profit, maps out W40tr-plus spending
Disgraced soccer figures apologize for World Cup flop; deny nepotism
Between stadiums, BTS' V turns to a book on quiet power of everyday life
SK chief makes first personal purchase of SK hynix shares
Lee Dong-wook returns from the dead
BTS' Grammy rebuff reignites debate over music beyond race, language
Address : Huam-ro 4-gil 10, Yongsan-gu,Seoul, Korea Tel : +82-2-727-0114 Online newspaper registration No : Seoul 아03711
Date of registration : 2015.04.28 Publisher. Editor : Choi Jin-Young Juvenile Protection Manager : Choi He-suk
The Korea Herald by Herald Corporation. Copyright Herald Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

source
This article was autogenerated from a news feed from CDO TIMES selected high quality news and research sources. There was no editorial review conducted beyond that by CDO TIMES staff. Need help with any of the topics in our articles? Schedule your free CDO TIMES Tech Navigator call today to stay ahead of the curve and gain insider advantages to propel your business!