Labor ministry to fine Coupang, logistics units 1.96 bln won for workplace violations

SEOUL, Oct. 22 (Yonhap) -- The labor ministry said Thursday it plans to fine e-commerce giant Coupang and its subsidiaries a combined 1.96 billion won (US$1.5 million) for more than a hundred labor and workplace safety violations.

The ministry said its inspection of the online retailer, its logistics units -- Coupang Fulfillment Services and Coupang Logistics Services -- and its logistics centers found a combined 206 labor and workspace safety violations.

The ministry decided to take legal action for 61 violations, such as absence of safety measures for conveyor belts, and impose fines for the rest, which include failures or delays in submitting industrial accident reports to local labor authorities.

Other violations subject to fines include failures to conduct special health checkups for night shift workers and improper management or installation of break facilities.

The inspection took place following allegations the company covered up industrial accidents after Coupang logistics center worker Jang Deok-jun died of acute myocardial infarction in 2020 following an overnight shift.

While a ministry probe found that Coupang founder Kim Bom-suk had ordered a company official to not keep records indicating that Jang had worked hard, the ministry said it could not take legal action as the statute of limitations of five years had passed.