SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean authorities raided the headquarters of e-commerce giant Coupang on Tuesday as part of an ongoing investigation into a massive data leak that potentially compromised the personal information of nearly two-thirds of the country’s population.

Coupang, South Korea’s largest and most popular online shopping platform, serves millions of customers with fast deliveries ranging from groceries to electronics. However, the company recently disclosed a serious breach that exposed sensitive customer information, sparking public concern and government scrutiny.

Details of the Data Breach

According to authorities, the breach occurred through Coupang’s overseas servers between June 24 and November 8, 2025. The company reported the leak last month, revealing that 33.7 million customers’ data had been compromised — almost two-thirds of South Korea’s population.

The exposed information included:

• Names
• Email addresses
• Phone numbers
• Shipping addresses
• Some order histories

Importantly, payment details and login credentials were not affected, according to the company.

Police said the breach may have been carried out by a former employee, a Chinese national, who is currently at large. Coupang has lodged a complaint against the suspect, and law enforcement has launched a comprehensive investigation.

Police Raid and Investigation

Seoul police deployed 17 officers from the cyber investigation unit to conduct a “search and seizure” at Coupang’s headquarters. Authorities described the operation as a “necessary measure” to collect evidence and ensure accountability.

President Lee Jae Myung has called for swift action against those responsible, emphasizing the importance of protecting South Korean consumers. Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik urged Coupang to present clear measures for compensating users affected by the leak.

Legal and Global Implications

Coupang now faces legal challenges internationally, including a class action lawsuit in the United States, where its global headquarters is located. The case has also drawn comparisons to previous high-profile data breaches in South Korea, such as the SK Telecom cyberattack, which compromised the information of 27 million users and resulted in a 91-million-dollar fine.

South Korea, among the world’s most digitally connected nations, remains a frequent target for cyberattacks. Recent incidents include suspected North Korean hacking attempts on South Korean cryptocurrency exchanges and government networks, highlighting ongoing cybersecurity threats in the region.

The Bigger Picture

The Coupang data breach has raised concerns about corporate cybersecurity practices and consumer protection in South Korea’s booming e-commerce sector. As investigations continue, authorities are pushing for stronger safeguards and accountability measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.