**CEO of South Korean Retail Giant Coupang Resigns After Massive Data Breach**

Park Dae-jun's Departure Comes Amidst a String of High-Profile Security Incidents in South Korea

Coupang, the e-commerce and logistics giant that dominates South Korea's online retail market, has seen its CEO resign amidst a massive data breach that exposed the personal information of nearly 34 million people. Park Dae-jun, who had been at the helm since Coupang's founding in 2012, has stepped down as chief executive following the unprecedented security incident.

In a statement, Park apologized for the breach, acknowledging his "deep sense of responsibility" for the outbreak and subsequent recovery process. The company has replaced him with Harold Rogers, the top lawyer at Coupang's U.S.-based parent company, according to a machine translation of the company statement.

**A Massive Breach**

The data breach, which allegedly began in June but wasn't noticed until November, initially revealed that over 4,500 customers had their data stolen. However, this figure was later revised dramatically upward to nearly 34 million people – roughly half of South Korea's population. The scope of the breach is staggering, and its implications are far-reaching.

The Coupang hack is just one of a series of high-profile security incidents affecting corporate giants and the central government across South Korea this year. Just last month, a data center fire led to an irretrievable loss of South Korean government data – a devastating blow to the country's digital infrastructure.

**A Troubling Pattern**

The Coupang breach has raised concerns about the security measures in place at major companies and government agencies in South Korea. It is clear that more needs to be done to protect sensitive information from cyber threats. The frequency and severity of these incidents suggest a deeper issue – one that requires immediate attention from policymakers, industry leaders, and cybersecurity experts.

As the tech community grapples with this crisis, Coupang's parent company, along with other major players in the South Korean e-commerce landscape, must prioritize security and transparency. The consequences of ignoring these issues will only lead to further breaches and more devastating losses for individuals and businesses alike.

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