Coupang Investigates Itself, Declares “No Harm Done.”.

• “We identified and obtained a confession from the former employee who leaked customer data,” the company stated, “and all hard disk drives have been securely recovered.”
• “While 33 million customer records were accessed, only 3,000 were actually stored,” according to their explanation.
• The Ministry of Science and ICT “strongly protested” against Coupang, calling the claims “details not verified by the investigation team.” Even within the presidential office, there is displeasure, with remarks that “they’ve crossed a line.”
• Related Link.
• Related Link.

What Matters Now.

“Coupang Threw Bricks Alongside Eco-Bags into the River.”.

• Coupang reportedly had divers retrieve them.
• Coupang stated, “We commissioned an investigation by Mandiant, Palo Alto Networks, and Ernst & Young—top global cybersecurity firms.”
• The forensic results allegedly showed that payment details, login credentials, or personal customs clearance numbers were not accessed.

Can Coupang’s Claims Be Trusted?

• Coupang—under investigation—contacting a key suspect to obtain a statement is a serious overreach.
• Kim Seung-joo (Korea University professor) analyzed, “There is an intent to frame this as an isolated individual’s misconduct.”
• Kim Myeong-joo (Seoul Women’s University professor) criticized, “It is not only untrustworthy but also absurd behavior.”
• Related Link.

Coupang as a Korea-U.S. Trade Issue? Coupang’s Overreach.

• Robert O’Brien (former U.S. National Security Advisor) suddenly posted this on X (Twitter): “Trump made great efforts to restore balance in the trade relationship with South Korea. It would be very unfortunate if South Korea undermined those efforts by targeting American tech companies.”
• Assuming Trump calls Coupang an American company, is the South Korean government unfairly treating Coupang?
• The Hankyoreh analyzed, “It is possible that Coupang’s lobbying played a role.”
• Coupang has spent 15.9 billion won on lobbying the U.S. White House, Congress, and others. The Hankyoreh warned, “If they attempt to use U.S. government influence to cover up the situation, it will further damage already fractured trust.”
• Related Link.
• Related Link.

“South Korean Government Discriminates Against U.S. Firms.”.

• Kim Won-cheol (Hankyoreh Washington correspondent) reports that Robert O’Brien operates a consulting firm called ‘American Global Strategies (AGS).’ He has opposed South Korea’s Online Platform Act alongside the U.S. ‘Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA).’
• Is Coupang’s lobbying at work?
• Darrell Issa (U.S. Republican congressman) published a column stating, “The South Korean government discriminates against American companies,” while Steve Cortes (political commentator) criticized it as “Korea’s betrayal.”
• The Coupang issue is unlikely to escalate into a diplomatic matter between South Korea and the U.S. The U.S. also takes personal data leaks seriously.
• Related Link.
• Related Link.

Deep Dive.

North Korea Unveils Nuclear Submarine.

• Rodong Sinmun published photos of a strategic nuclear submarine (SSBN). It is 8,700 tons.
• Larger than the U.S. Virginia-class (7,900-ton) nuclear submarine (SSN). Capable of carrying 10 ballistic missiles (SLBM).
• Though suspected of receiving technology from Russia’s Akula-class submarine, speculation remains that it may be a mock-up.

Will Kim Byung-ki’s Apology Suffice?

• “I will reflect on myself and ensure such concerns do not recur,” he said.
• Controversy arose over his acceptance of hotel accommodations worth 1.6 million won, but suspicions also persist about receiving preferential medical treatment at a general hospital in his district. His meeting with Park Dae-jun (then Coupang CEO) ahead of a parliamentary audit also remains unexplained.
• Kim Byung-ki (Democratic Party floor leader) criticized, “A former aide who savaged me and my family is now masquerading as a public interest whistleblower.”
• The Hankyoreh noted, “Concerns are growing that the ruling party’s floor leader cannot command respect.”

Kim Sun-gyo, Former Yangpyeong Mayor, Swapped Phones.

• July 14 was the day the Kim Kun-hee special investigation team raided the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport over suspicions of preferential treatment in Yangpyeong development.
• Kim Sun-gyo (People Power Party lawmaker) left a meeting mid-session, stepped outside the National Assembly, and visited a telecom dealer to replace his smartphone.
• Kim claimed, “I happened to lose my phone that day,” adding, “I had no knowledge of the raid.”
• According to the special investigation, Kim Sun-gyo met Yoon Suk-yeol (then Yeoju District Chief Prosecutor) for dinner in October 2013. In March 2022, ahead of the election, he also remarked, “Yoon felt apologetic about his mother-in-law’s situation.”

Where Will Ukrainian Captured North Korean Soldiers Go?

• Captured in January, they have yet to return. Legally Korean citizens under the South Korean Constitution.
• After stating in a Chosun Ilbo interview, “We want to go to South Korea,” repatriation to North Korea risks execution.
• No dialogue has occurred yet between Lee Jae-myung (President) and Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Ukrainian President).

Another Take.

Seoul Apartment Prices Keep Rising Despite Falling Transaction Volumes.

• Cumulative increase of 8.5% so far this year. Rose 0.2% in the fourth week of December alone.
• A 82㎡ apartment at Hyundai 3rd Complex in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, surged by nearly 2 billion won—from 4.14 billion won last year to 6.07 billion won last month.
• Related Link.

Coupang’s Marketing Incentives: 2.3424 Trillion Won Last Year.

• Coupang received 1.4212 trillion won from suppliers under the guise of sales promotion, and separately collected 921.1 billion won as a 3.7% sales incentive on transaction amounts.
• This amounts to nearly 10% of Coupang’s direct procurement transactions (24.6953 trillion won).
• Critics argue this shifts distribution costs onto suppliers rather than promoting sales.
• The Fair Trade Commission noted, “This is exceptionally high compared to other business models.”

If Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs Were Illegal?

• From April to November, the U.S. government collected $118.4 billion in reciprocal tariffs. By year-end, the total will reach around $150 billion.
• Separately, tariffs on automobiles and steel amount to $77.1 billion.
• Originally expected to collect $76.6 billion, the total instead surged to $273.1 billion—a 3.6-fold increase.
• The U.S. Supreme Court will rule by late this year at the earliest or early next year on the legality of these tariffs. The prevailing assessment is that the national emergency justification did not warrant imposing tariffs without congressional approval.
• If deemed illegal, refunds would be required.

Will the Conservative Alliance of Jang-Dong-Seok Materialize?

• Dong-A Ilbo and others are hyping it, but the likelihood is low.
• After Jang Dong-hyeok (People Power Party Leader) concluded his 24-hour filibuster, Han Dong-hoon (former People Power Party Leader) said, “You’ve worked hard” and added, “It’s time to fight and defend together.” Jang responded, “I don’t think anyone can have a different opinion.”
• The momentum around Han Dong-hoon’s party member bulletin board issues is also fading.
• Lee Jun-seok (Reform Party Leader) joined in, calling the filibuster “a significantly meaningful moment.”
• Related Link.
• Related Link.

The Fix.

Over 10,000 Annual Cases of ER “Hot Potato” Delays Exceeding One Hour.

• There are 1.8–2.0 million ambulance dispatches annually.
• Approximately 60,000–70,000 cases exceed 30 minutes for transport, with around 10,000 cases surpassing 60 minutes.
• Over 1,200 cases involve making 20 or more calls.
• The solution? Strengthening backend medical infrastructure comes first—expanding the workforce treating severe emergency patients.
• Eun-kyung Auh (Soonchunhyang University Professor) noted, “Before arriving at the ER, fire departments under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety handle cases, while medical staff under the Ministry of Health and Welfare take over once patients reach the ER,” adding, “The duplicated information systems and command centers remain a persistent issue.”

Creating a ‘Basic Law for Workers.’.

• Kim Tae-seon (Democratic Party Representative) proposed the bill as the lead sponsor.
• It expands the definition of workers to protect delivery riders, couriers, and other special-employment workers, platform workers, and freelancers under the umbrella of “workers.”
• It defines guaranteeing workers’ rights as a national responsibility, including measures to ensure safe and healthy working conditions.
• Critics call it merely declarative. The Korean Public and Service Workers’ Union (under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions) criticized it as “lacking enforcement mechanisms” and “a law even Coupang would welcome.”
• Related Link.

Food Deserts Spreading Alarming.

• 27,609 out of 37,563 administrative villages lack retail stores. Analysis by the National Assembly Research Service.
• Travel time to the nearest store by car: 14.4 minutes in rural areas vs. 3.9 minutes in cities.

Sanitary Pad Vouchers Used by Only 56%.

• Applicants must prove they cannot afford sanitary pads. Income verification is stringent, and restrictions are numerous.
• Of 234,015 eligible recipients for the menstrual product support program, only 129,838 actually used the vouchers. As of July, the budget execution rate was less than 34%.
• The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has provided vouchers to vulnerable women and girls aged 9–24 since 2019. Applications can be made by visiting local welfare centers or through the Bokjiro website. Monthly support amounts to 14,000 won.
• To receive funds, applicants must obtain a National Happiness Card, and eligible vendors vary by card issuer.
• Related Link.

“No Vehicle Entry for 45 Minutes.”.

• London, UK, completely blocks vehicle entry to school streets during arrival and dismissal times: 8:30–9:15 AM and 3:14–4:00 PM.
• Initial opposition was strong, but this year’s survey shows approval rates of 60–80%.
• South Korea still only imposes speed limits in school zones.
• Related Link.

ICYMI.

Young Adults Now Skip Driver’s Licenses.

• New driver’s license acquisitions by those in their 10s–20s dropped from 640,000 in 2021 to 450,000 last year, and only 380,000 as of November this year.
• “A driver’s license used to symbolize adulthood, but now the perception is, ‘Why get one when even buying a home is impossible—let alone a car,’” said one official.
• The Climate Companion Card has seen 17 million cumulative charges, with 57% of users being young adults utilizing youth discounts.

Why Seongsu-dong Is Booming.

• Rent for a pop-up store in Seongsu-dong can reach up to 300 million won per month.
• Why are pop-up stores trending? Yoo Hyun-jun (Hongik University professor) pointed out, “Because people don’t watch TV anymore.” It’s an era where you must delve into social media to capture attention. You need photos to post on Instagram, and Seongsu-dong has become that set.
• Are pop-up stores profitable? Yoo Hyun-jun’s analysis: They cost less than traditional TV ads but generate stronger virality.
• It’s on the accessible Line 2 route and one of Seoul’s rare flat areas. Formerly an industrial zone, its grid-patterned road design is also well-planned.
• Related Link.

A 2% Correct Answer Rate for an Elementary Math Problem.

• “There is 10kg of 25% saline solution. Remove 2kg of it and add 4kg of water, mix. Then remove 3kg and add 6kg of water, mix again. Finally, add 5kg of 20% saline solution and mix. What is the final concentration?”
• Kim Philip (CEO of Philip Education Group) criticized, “The reckless worship of advanced math in elementary education is nothing but overreach that mass-produces math dropouts.”
• “The disadvantages of forcing advanced problems—making students increasingly hate math—are incomparably more severe than any benefits gained from attempting them.”
• The correct answer is 12.5%.
• Related Link.

Worth Reading.

We Know Little About Cho Jin-woong.

• Dispatch reported that Cho Jin-woong (actor) faced criminal trial for robbery and rape under the Special Act on Sexual Violence and went to a juvenile detention center.
• The Dispatch article is strange. For juvenile crimes, authorities first decide whether to pursue criminal trial or transfer to the Family Court’s juvenile division. If a criminal trial proceeds, the individual goes to prison. There is no case where someone receives a criminal trial and is sent to a juvenile detention center.
• Oh Chang-ik (executive director of Human Rights Solidarity) pointed out, “The probability of going to a juvenile detention center for a heinous crime like robbery and rape is extremely low.” He assessed, “It was a jumbled mess lacking even basic factual verification and devoid of credible evidence.”
• Since Cho Jin-woong announced his retirement, the truth remains unknown.
• Related Link.

What ‘Kong GPT’ Must Answer For.

• By answering the president’s questions well, he earned the nickname ‘Kong GPT,’ but Byun Sang-moon (Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) provided incorrect information.
• Domestic soybean production is 156,000 tons, not 83,000 tons.
• As the government urges reduced rice cultivation while offering direct payments for field soybeans, soybean cultivation area continues to expand. This year alone, cultivation area increased by 12%, with field soybeans surging by 47%.
• The issue is pricing. Imported soybeans cost 1,400 won per kg, while domestic soybeans cost 4,800 won. Unsold domestic soybeans—80,000 tons—are piling up in warehouses.
• Jeong Eun-jung (rural sociology researcher) noted, “We don’t need premium tofu—we need ordinary tofu,” adding, “To achieve this, the price gap between imported and domestic agricultural products must narrow, and the gap must be filled.”
• Related Link.

A Data Center Incident in Ginza.

• It’s a nickname for Inzai City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Thanks to over 30 data centers from Big Tech firms like Google and Amazon, fixed asset taxes rose from ¥7.9 billion to ¥16.5 billion in a decade.
• Residents are disgruntled. Eerie buildings the size of dozens of soccer fields have sprung up, yet employment barely budged.
• According to Jason Furman (Harvard professor), AI infrastructure investment accounted for 4% of US GDP—92% of the first-half GDP growth rate. Some call it an investment illusion.
• Choi Jin-joo (Korea Times International Bureau Chief) emphasized, “Always prepare for the worst-case scenario.”
• Related Link.