Coupang Blazes Forward: Profits Up, Worker Lifespans Down
The mother of Jang Deok-jun, a Coupang worker who died of a heart attack after an overnight shift in 2020, is finally getting a police investigation into alleged evidence destruction. The National Courier Workers' Union claims Coupang founder Kim Bom-suk orchestrated the cover-up. Meanwhile, Coupang's revenue in 2020 jumped 91% to $12 billion, fueled by exactly the kind of relentless, 24/7 labor
that killed Jang. The company’s Q4 2020 earnings call, held just months after Jang’s death, cheerfully highlighted increased demand while omitting any mention of the human cost that fueled it. It appears the 'truth' behind Jang's death wasn't as profitable as the carefully curated narrative of explosive growth. One might wonder if corporate profits are now considered a legitimate excuse for worker
fatalities, or if only 'e-commerce giants' get to redefine 'industrial accident' as 'unforeseen operational expense.' They call it progress; we call it privatized death.