Interim Coupang CEO gives closed-door deposition before U.S. House Judiciary Committee over data leak
Published: 24 Feb. 2026, 16:56
Updated: 24 Feb. 2026, 17:56
![Harold Rogers, the interim CEO of Coupang, leaves the U.S. Capitol in Washington after appearing before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 23. [NEWS1]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/02/24/e4a53d67-215a-470f-a2be-012ed47bdd80.jpg)
Harold Rogers, the interim CEO of Coupang, leaves the U.S. Capitol in Washington after appearing before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 23. [NEWS1]
WASHINGTON — Harold Rogers, the interim CEO of e-commerce giant Coupang, gave a closed-door deposition before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on Monday over a data breach affecting more than 33 million Korean users, as the U.S.-listed company faces scrutiny in Seoul over the data leak.
The leak refers to the exposure of personal data — including names, phone numbers and delivery addresses — of more than 33 million users in a hacking incident that Coupang first detected in November last year. Following the discovery, Korean regulators began a formal investigation into possible violations of domestic data protection laws, ordered the company to submit corrective measures and considered what penalties to impose on the company.
Rogers appeared at 9:42 a.m. at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Congressional aides, professional staff and lawyers attended the closed-door deposition, which lasted roughly seven hours. He left the building at around 5 p.m.
Both before and after the deposition, Rogers did not respond to reporters' questions about his testimony, the committee's position or whether he had a message for Korean customers.
The House Judiciary Committee also declined to disclose details of the proceedings.
The appearance comes as Coupang's dispute with Seoul continues.
![A Coupang logo is seen in this photo taken on Feb. 11, 2025. [REUTERS/YONHAP]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/02/24/1507ddc0-f4ca-4819-b515-aa49f13fba26.jpg)
A Coupang logo is seen in this photo taken on Feb. 11, 2025. [REUTERS/YONHAP]
Coupang’s chief global public affairs officer expressed regret over the circumstances in Korea that led to Monday's congressional testimony and said the company aims to serve as a bridge between the United States and Korea by promoting trade and investments that are beneficial to both countries. The statement made no reference to accountability for the data breach.
A U.S. source said Monday's schedule proceeded after Congress issued what officials call a “friendly subpoena” at Coupang's request, effectively allowing the company to testify.
The source added that Coupang likely used the closed-door session to argue that the Korean investigation into the data leak amounts to discrimination against the U.S.-listed company. Coupang reportedly submitted extensive materials related to the data leak probe ahead of the testimony.
When asked by the JoongAng Ilbo, a spokesperson for the House Judiciary Committee declined to disclose what arguments the company presented.
Last month, the company’s investors described the Korean investigation as unjust and discriminatory and requested investor-state dispute settlement arbitration against Seoul. They also petitioned the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to initiate an investigation under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act.
![Harold Rogers, the interim CEO of Coupang, speaks at the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul, on Dec. 31, 2025. [NEWS1]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/02/24/8adcf267-21b9-4fd1-a359-425f046c5eb4.jpg)
Harold Rogers, the interim CEO of Coupang, speaks at the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul, on Dec. 31, 2025. [NEWS1]
Section 301 authorizes the U.S. administration to investigate alleged discriminatory or unfair trade practices by foreign governments, as well as impose trade measures, including tariffs, if it finds violations. Washington has invoked the provision in past disputes, including against Japan in the 1980s and China in recent years.
Shortly after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Friday struck down U.S. President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff authority, the USTR announced that potential Section 301 reviews could cover most major trading partners and did not rule out Korea.
The USTR indicated it would examine unreasonable, discriminatory and burdensome practices.
A House Judiciary Committee spokesperson said the panel could not say whether its inquiry would influence any potential Section 301 action, emphasizing that trade investigations fall under the executive branch.
The Korean government maintains that the investigation into the data leak proceeds under domestic legal procedures separate from trade matters. Officials also say the case should not escalate into a diplomatic or trade dispute.
![Delivery trucks are parked at a Coupang logistics depot in Seoul on Dec. 14, 2025. [YONHAP]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/02/24/16887823-0e53-44e8-befe-2892894db387.jpg)
Delivery trucks are parked at a Coupang logistics depot in Seoul on Dec. 14, 2025. [YONHAP]
Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said on Monday that the government cannot “prejudge whether Korea could face a Section 301 review.”
“We must manage various trade issues to ensure Korea does not become subject to a Section 301 investigation,” Kim said.
Tammy Overby, a consultant at DGA Group Government Relations and former vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, indicated that the case could influence broader trade deliberations in Washington, and that scrutiny surrounding Coupang may weigh on whether the Trump administration moves forward with a review examining whether Korea’s enforcement of data protection laws and regulation of online platforms place discriminatory or disproportionate burdens on U.S.-linked digital firms.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY KANG TAE-HWA [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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