(LEAD) Coupang services disrupted around midnight during update

SEOUL, Oct. 9 (Yonhap) -- Services operated by U.S.-listed e-commerce giant Coupang Inc., including its shopping and delivery platforms, were disrupted around midnight due to an error that occurred during an update, sources said Friday.

Users were unable to access Coupang, Coupang Eats and Coupang Play, the company's shopping, food delivery and streaming services, respectively, with only a message asking them to try again later.

Access to the apps resumed around 1 a.m., but problems persisted, including an inability to log in.

The company's logistics platform for delivery drivers experienced errors as well, causing inconvenience for workers.

Access to Coupang's platforms returned to normal around 2:30 a.m.

In a notice to users, Coupang said the error occurred during a service upgrade and that the issue had been fully resolved.

The company is investigating the exact cause of the problem, the sources said, amid growing public concerns over hacking and privacy breaches.

Coupang has more than 30 million monthly active users.

Later in the day, Coupang said it plans to offer 5,000-won (US$3.7) vouchers to customers whose orders were canceled due to the system failure.

Users of Coupang Eats whose food delivery orders were canceled will receive 3,000-won vouchers, while those who were unable to place an order will get 1,000 won.

Food delivery riders will be compensated for orders canceled after they had accepted them. The company plans to offer similar compensation to restaurant owners as well.