Seoul seeks Beijing's support in tracking down Chinese suspect behind Coupang data breach: minister

▲ Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho attends a plenary session of the parliamentary legislation and judiciary committee at the National Assembly in Seoul on Jan. 7, 2026. (Yonhap)

Coupang-probe

Seoul seeks Beijing's support in tracking down Chinese suspect behind Coupang data breach: minister

SEOUL, Jan. 7 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors probing a massive data breach at online retailer Coupang Inc. have requested cooperation from Chinese authorities on apprehending a former employee believed to have leaked the personal information of millions of users, the justice minister said Wednesday.

Following a court approval of an arrest warrant to detain the Chinese national on Dec. 8, prosecutors have requested cooperation from both Interpol and Chinese authorities on tracking down the former Coupang employee, Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho told lawmakers in a plenary session of the parliamentary legislation and judiciary committee.

The minister's remark came in response to a main opposition party lawmaker urging the government to promptly request the Chinese government to repatriate the former employee allegedly behind the massive data breach affecting around two-thirds of the country's population.

Jung said the government will strive to faithfully implement necessary procedures, while noting that Beijing has not responded to Seoul's extradition request to date.

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