Coupang Logistics Services (CLS/Coupang) has filed a lawsuit against <Safetimes>, demanding the deletion of the article and compensation of 100 million won.

Coupang sent a request for mediation through the Press Arbitration Co㎜ission (PAC) on November 14th seeking correction and compensation of 100 million won regarding the article <Coupang's Dangerous 'Unconditional Delivery System'> published by Safetimes on August 7th.

However, in this civil lawsuit, Coupang escalated by demanding the "deletion of the article."

Three months ago, Safetimes reported that "Coupang QuickFlex delivery workers are suffering in the heat without weight limits for deliveries," pointing out that Coupang's Logistics Services' subcontracted workers (QuickFlex delivery workers) were left in a blind spot of safety due to the absence of weight restrictions like the "under 30㎏ per delivery" standard co㎜only applied by other delivery companies.

Coupang responded by calling it "distorted and exaggerated false reporting," asserting that "instances of deliveries exceeding 30㎏ were incidents due to sellers' mistakes and are in no way related to Coupang's (Co-CEOs Hong Yong-joon, Kang Hyunoh, Lee SunSeung) policies." They even clarified that items exceeding 30㎏ could not be stored in their warehouses.

The Press Arbitration Co㎜ission concluded the case on November 28th as "no mediation" after receiving Coupang's "absurd" statement of reasons.

Accordingly, Coupang filed a civil lawsuit as expected.

According to the complaint delivered to Safetimes headquarters on November 30th, Coupang CLS filed a lawsuit at the Seoul Northern District Court seeking the deletion of the article and compensation for damages (100 million won), claiming defamation due to false reporting in this newspaper.

Coupang was found to have filed a civil lawsuit (November 3rd) in addition to filing with the Press Arbitration Co㎜ission. It was revealed that Coupang was passing over the Co㎜ission from the beginning, suggesting that filing with the Press Arbitration Co㎜ission was merely procedural.

Coupang reiterated in the complaint that "weight restrictions are applied to Coupang QuickFlex delivery workers but Safetimes is reporting the complete opposite, false facts."

☞ Coupang's Dangerous 'Unconditional Delivery System'
☞ [Breaking News] Coupang's "No Delivery Above 30㎏" Policy Turns Out to Be False
☞ [Breaking News] Coupang QuickFlex "Deliveries Over 30㎏ are Co㎜on"

After receiving the Press Arbitration Co㎜ission's application, Safetimes confirmed the fact through the article <Coupang's "No Delivery Above 30㎏" Policy Turns Out to Be False>.

Safetimes also published an article proving that Coupang delivers products exceeding the delivery standard (sum of length, width, and height exceeds 250㎝ or weight exceeds 30㎏) and has been neglecting the excessive labor conditions.

Safetimes particularly criticized Coupang for openly displaying and selling products on their website that exceeded the delivery standard (weight exceeding 30㎏).

In response to Coupang's claims of false reporting, Safetimes directly ordered a product for delivery and confirmed the fact that a 37.6㎏ portable air conditioner was indeed sold and delivered through Coupang.

Safetimes has set up a 'Coupang Safety Insensitivity' Reporting Center and receives reports on cases of illegal practices at logistics centers, including the violation of weight and delivery standards. Safetimes is continuing follow-up reports without bias.

Meanwhile, Coupang has been using the i㎜ense financial power of a leading Korean conglomerate to silence criticisms by accusing the media of "false reporting" regarding "worker safety."

Coupang has been targeting individual journalists who have previously exposed poor labor conditions, demanding article deletions or filing hefty lawsuits, raising suspicions of "abuse of legal process."

It was reported that Coupang has previously filed similar lawsuits against media outlets such as Pressian and Daejeon MBC in 2021, which were subsequently dropped.

Coupang also filed for correction and compensation with the Press Arbitration Co㎜ission against Hankyoreh last October, but both parties refused arbitration, which led to the filing of a lawsuit.

[Editor's Note] We are receiving reports on cases of "deliveries exceeding 30㎏" and "illegal practices at logistics centers" that threaten the safety of Coupang workers. Safetimes ensures strict confidentiality of informants. Please send us photos and videos. We sincerely appreciate your interest.

▶ Reporting Center Email: safebodo@gmail.com
▶ Exclusive Phone Number: 010-5137-2521
▶ Direct Line: 02-953-0119