[News Space=Reporter seungwon lee] As the social repercussions grow after it was revealed that a Coupang Logistics Service (CLS) executive treated three labor inspectors and the head of the Industrial Accident Prevention Guidance Division of the Gangnam Branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor to lunch in February 2025, criticism is pouring in regarding the timing and explanation.

The executive in question at Coupang is from the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and he explained that it was a “personal relationship” and “a meal within the limits permitted by law.” However, some say that this was inappropriate, given that it came right after the announcement of the results of the major industrial accident inspection and hearing on Coupang.

Coupang CLS Executives Treated Ministry of Labor Officials to Meal… “Suspicion of Preferential Treatment, Need for Thorough Audit”

In particular, given the recent legislation targeting Coupang in the National Assembly and the government-level investigation underway, the fact that an executive from the Ministry of Labor who was reemployed at Coupang arranged a meal with a current civil servant could be interpreted as an undue exercise of influence to resolve public complaints, and demands for a thorough audit and transparent investigation by the government are pouring in.

10% of retired civil servants go to Coupang… “Concerns over abuse of preferential treatment, meeting minutes need to be disclosed”

According to the results of the employment review by the Government Ethics Committee in June 2025, out of the 59 people who passed the review, 6 (10.2%) were reemployed at Coupang and its affiliates. Among them, many came from powerful organizations such as the Office of the President (Grade 3 → Coupang Managing Director), Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (Grade 3 → Coupang Manager), Prosecutors' Office (Grade 7 → Coupang Manager), National Police Agency (Inspector → Coupang Fulfillment Service Field Manager), Ministry of Employment and Labor (Grade 6 → Coupang Logistics Service Manager), and Fair Trade Commission (Grade 4 → Coupang Pay Executive Director).

Regarding Coupang’s large-scale recruitment of key government officials, labor groups and civil society groups are raising suspicions that “Coupang is trying to reduce its responsibility and lower the level of punishment through preferential treatment.” In particular, in a situation where fines have been imposed for unfair labor practices and algorithm manipulation against CLS delivery workers, it is pointed out that this personnel strategy will further damage social trust.

Controversy over raising the standard for meal expenses under the Anti-Corruption Act… “Regression of public service ethics, urgent need to restore to original state”

Starting in August 2024, the limit on public officials’ meal expenses under the Anti-Corruption Act (Kim Young-ran Act) has been raised from 30,000 won to 50,000 won. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea cited “social and economic environmental changes and support for small business owners” as the reasons, but People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy strongly opposes, saying, “It results in encouraging collusion between public officials and supervised organizations.”

Even if the actual meal service is “within the limits permitted by law,” if there is an improper request or consideration, it can be subject to sanctions. Civic group experts agree that “the meal fee standards of the Anti-Bribery Act should be restored to their original state, and measures to prevent conflicts of interest and eradicate preferential treatment should be strengthened.”

Conflict of Interest Prevention Act and Eradication of Preferential Treatment… Strengthening Transparency and Fairness Urgently Needed

The current Conflict of Interest Prevention Act strictly prohibits public officials from pursuing private interests while performing their duties. In particular, it specifies 10 prohibited acts, including private contact with retirees, employment at supervised organizations, and use of official secrets.

However, some point out that it is difficult to eradicate the practice of preferential treatment without effective enforcement and strengthening of the pre- and post-screening system.

People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy said, “The incident of Coupang executives entertaining Ministry of Labor officials for a meal should not be dismissed as a simple private gathering, but rather recognized as a serious matter that undermines trust in government policies,” and is calling for special measures such as ▲ transparent disclosure of related meeting materials and minutes, ▲ a complete ban on private contact between public officials and supervised organizations, and ▲ a complete overhaul of the employment screening system.

Also, "The integrity of public officials and fairness of policies are the core of trust in the government. Coupang CLS executives entertaining Ministry of Labor officials for meals and retired public officials rushing to Coupang are increasing public distrust," he said. "The government should immediately move forward with fundamental institutional reforms, such as conducting thorough audits, eradicating preferential treatment, preventing conflicts of interest, and strengthening the Anti-Graft Act."