A senior labor inspector from South Korea's Labor Ministry has been referred to police after being accused of having dined with a representative from Coupang during an inspection period.
In South Korea, a labor inspector from the Ministry of Employment and Labor has been referred to the police for allegedly dining with a representative from Coupang during a supervision period. The Ministry conducted a special audit on this inspector, identified as Mr. M, after allegations emerged that he received money and favors not only from Coupang but also from other companies. The auditor was suspected of having disclosed labor inspection results during a meal with Coupang officials, indicating misconduct during his supervisory duties. Following an internal investigation, evidence was found that he introduced a specific safety training institution to Coupang post-inspection, which has raised concerns about the integrity of the labor inspection process.
The allegations came to light when a former Coupang executive released internal documents revealing that Mr. M had dined with Coupang officials while the Ministry was overseeing online distribution companies in late 2020. The Ministry's audit report indicates inconsistencies that align with the content of Coupang's internal emails, suggesting that Mr. M may have disclosed sensitive inspection outcomes to his dining companions. Despite these serious allegations, the Ministry stated that due to the inspector's denial of wrongdoing and the lapse of the disciplinary period (three years), formal disciplinary actions cannot be pursued against him. Nevertheless, concerns about the legitimacy of his associations have led the Ministry to request a police investigation into potential violations of bribery and anti-corruption laws.
The Ministry's investigation has revealed that Mr. M not only accepted benefits from Coupang but also from three other companies under his supervision, including gifts and hospitality. These findings underline systemic issues within the labor oversight mechanisms and could lead to calls for reforms to ensure ethical practices among inspectors and protect the integrity of labor inspections in South Korea. As the investigation progresses, the implications may prompt broader scrutiny into the interactions between labor inspectors and the companies they oversee, potentially affecting public trust in labor oversight authorities.
