Coupang Data Breach Suspect Extradition 2026: Seoul Presses Beijing for Cooperation
South Korean authorities seek China's help and Interpol's assistance in extraditing a former Coupang employee for a massive data breach affecting 2/3 of the population.
Two-thirds of a nation's data stolen, yet the suspect remains out of reach. Can Seoul bridge the gap with Beijing? The South Korean government has officially requested assistance from Chinese authorities to apprehend a former Coupang employee believed to be behind a massive personal data breach.
Tracking the Coupang Data Breach Suspect in China
Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho revealed during a parliamentary session on Jan. 7, 2026, that prosecutors are working with Interpol to track down the Chinese national. A court had already approved an arrest warrant on Dec. 8, following allegations that the individual leaked private data of millions of users.
The breach is staggering in scale, affecting nearly 66% of South Korea's population. Opposition lawmakers are piling pressure on the administration to demand the suspect's immediate repatriation. However, Minister Jung noted that Beijing hasn't responded to the extradition request yet, highlighting the diplomatic hurdles in cross-border cybercrime cases.
Diplomatic Deadlock Over Cybersecurity Cooperation
This isn't just a corporate scandal; it's a test of South Korea-China relations. While Seoul is pushing for accountability, the silence from China creates a difficult impasse. Meanwhile, domestic pressure on Coupang continues to mount, with various government agencies investigating labor violations and the company's handling of the leak.
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