Coupang faces scrutiny over driver's death ahead of NY listing

South Korean e-commerce giant vows to 'work harder' to protect workers

20210311 coupang warehouse

A Coupang delivery person loads packages at a logistics center in Incheon, South Korea.  © Reuters

STEVEN BOROWIEC, Contributing writer

SEOUL -- As Coupang gears up for its initial public offering in New York, the South Korean e-commerce giant is once again facing questions at home over the working conditions of its delivery drivers and logistics workers.

Labor groups on Monday reported a Coupang delivery driver in his 40s had died from what they claimed was overwork. Coupang responded by releasing a statement to local media saying that in the 12 weeks leading up to the driver's death, he had worked an average of around 40 hours per week and had been on vacation for a week at the time of his death.

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