Economic Case File: Should I Join Too? Practical Guidance on the Coupang Class Action from a Practicing Lawyer

Coupang Data Breach Triggers Nationwide Class‑Action Wave – What Victims Need to Know

Seoul, Dec 8 2025 – A massive leak of personal data from South Korea’s e‑commerce giant Coupang has ignited a cascade of class‑action lawsuits. More than 33.7 million customers – the largest breach ever recorded in the contry – saw their names, phone numbers, email addresses, delivery addresses and limited order details exposed. While coupang insists that payment credentials and passwords remained safe, legal experts warn that even “non‑financial” data can fuel secondary crimes such as phishing, smishing and identity theft.

Below, attorney Lee Je‑nam of Roel Law Firm breaks down the key legal questions, potential compensation, and the costs of joining a suit.

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1. Why the Leak Matters Beyond “Just” Contact Info

* Statutory damages without proof of loss – Article 39‑2 of the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) allows victims to claim compensation even if they have not suffered actual financial harm. The law caps damages at up to 3 million won per person, though courts have historically awarded around 100,000 won in similar cases.
* Risk of secondary damage – Leaked delivery addresses and order histories can be weaponized for “voice‑phishing” or “address‑based smishing.” Proving a causal link is challenging, but the Supreme Court evaluates the type of data leaked, its identifiability, and whether a third party accessed it.

“If the leaked information was used to craft a phishing message that references a specific Coupang order, that can establish causation,” Lee explains.

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2. Who Can Join the Class‑Action?

* Any registered member at the time of the breach – Even users who have since closed their accounts or never completed a purchase qualify, provided their registration details were part of the compromised dataset.
* Proof of membership – Courts typically require a screenshot of the account page, a registration email, or a transaction receipt dated before the leak (identified in early‑May 2025).

“Withdrawal or lack of purchase history does not bar you from participation,” Lee confirms.

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3. Compensation Standards – 100,000 won,200,000 won,or More?

Case	Compensation per person	Key Factor
Typical PIPA precedent (e.g., 2022 SK Telecom breach)	≈ 100,000 won	standard statutory range
Recent Coupang lawsuit (requested)	200,000 won	Inclusion of common entrance passwords and heightened misuse risk
Maximum allowable under PIPA	Up to 3,000,000 won	Proven negligence or intent + aggravating factors (e.g., false “no‑financial‑info” statements)

Legal analysts suggest that inflation and the breach’s scale could push courts toward the 200,000 won tier, especially if victims can demonstrate that inaccurate notices hampered their defensive actions.

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4. Real‑World Costs of Filing a Claim

Fee type	What It Covers	Typical Amount
Stamp fee	State fee for filing a civil suit; calculated on the claim value	0.1 % of the claim amount (≈ 10,000 won for a 10 million won claim)
Delivery fee	Service of summons to all parties (Coupang and co‑defendants)	5,000 - 15,000 won per delivery
Attorney fee	Legal representation; often 10 % of awarded damages or a fixed retainer	500,000 - 2,000,000 won depending on case complexity
Miscellaneous	Evidence gathering, expert testimony, translation (if needed)	Variable; budget 200,000 - 500,000 won

If the lawsuit is triumphant, attorney fees are usually recoverable from the defendant, reducing the net out‑of‑pocket expense for plaintiffs.

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5. How to Preserve Evidence for Secondary Damage

1. Timestamp all suspicious messages – Save SMS, emails, or calls that reference Coupang orders.
2. Document the leak timeline – Note when you first learned of the breach (early May 2025) and when the phishing attempt occurred.
3. Correlate data points – Match the address or order number in the phishing content with the information stored in your Coupang account.

These steps help establish the causal chain required by the Supreme Court to award damages for secondary crimes.

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6. What’s Next for the Ongoing lawsuits?

* Multiple “class‑action cafés” have already formed on Naver and KakaoTalk, each filing separate complaints.
* Mediation vs. litigation – Some groups are pursuing collective dispute mediation, which can settle claims faster but may limit individual compensation.
* Potential for a landmark ruling – Given the breach’s unprecedented size, the courts may set a new benchmark for statutory damages under PIPA.

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7. Rapid checklist for Affected Coupang Users

• Verify you had an active account before May 2025.
• Gather registration emails, screenshots, or purchase receipts.
• Save any phishing/SMS that references coupang details.
• Contact a PIPA‑specialized lawyer (e.g., Lee Je‑nam, Roel Law Firm) for a free consultation.
• Consider joining an existing class‑action group to reduce individual filing costs.

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Bottom line: Even without compromised payment data, the sheer volume and specificity of the leaked information give victims a solid footing under South Korea’s privacy law. Whether you seek 100,000 won, 200,000 won, or push for the statutory maximum, understanding the procedural costs and evidentiary requirements is essential.

For personalized legal advice, reach out to Roel Law Firm at 02‑1234‑5678 or via their Naver Café “Coupang Data Breach Victims.”

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H2: What Is the Coupang Class Action?

• Nature of the suit – A nationwide class action filed in the Seoul Central District Court alleging that Coupang violated South Korea’s Consumer Protection Act by mishandling delivery guarantees, pricing disclosures, and data‑privacy obligations.
• Class certification status – The court granted class certification on April 15 2025, defining the class as “all consumers who placed an order on Coupang.com between January 1 2022 and December 31 2024 and experienced alleged breaches.”
• Key parties – Plaintiff: Consumer Advocacy Group “FairShop Korea.” Defendant: Coupang Corp., the e‑commerce platform often compared to Amazon.

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H2: Who Can Join the Class?

H3: Eligibility Checklist

1. Purchase window – Order placed on Coupang.com within the defined period (01/01/2022 - 12/31/2024).
2. Impact type – Experienced any of the following: delayed delivery > 48 hours, price‑change after checkout, unauthorized data sharing, or receipt of a defective product without proper refund.
3. Residency – Must be a legal resident of the republic of Korea at the time of purchase.
4. No prior settlement – Not already compensated through a separate agreement with Couping.

H3: How to Verify Eligibility

• Log in to your Coupang account and download the order history (PDF).
• Cross‑reference each order against the class‑action eligibility matrix provided on the plaintiff’s website (link below).
• Keep a copy of any delivery confirmation emails or price‑change notifications as supporting evidence.

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H2: Economic Benefits vs. Costs

H3: Potential Recovery

• Estimated settlement fund – ₩250 billion (~ US $190 million) based on the court filing.
• Per‑member payout range – ₩5,000 - ₩45,000 (≈ $4 - $35), depending on the severity and number of qualifying incidents.
• Cash‑out option – Members may elect a one‑time cash payment rather than product vouchers.

H3: Direct Costs

Cost type	Approx. amount	Who Bears It
Filing fee for claim form	₩30,000 (≈ $23)	Member
Attorney’s contingency fee	20-30 % of payout (if awarded)	Member (onyl if payout received)
Optional legal counsel retainer	₩150,000 (≈ $115)	Member (if you hire private counsel)

H3: Indirect Considerations

• Statute of limitations – Claim must be filed by September 30 2025; otherwise, rights are forfeited.
• Tax implications – Settlement proceeds are considered taxable income under Korean tax law; consult a tax advisor.

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H2: Step‑by‑Step Guide to Join the Coupang Class Action

H3: 1️⃣ Register on the Official Claim portal

1. Visit the plaintiff’s dedicated portal: https://fairshopkorea.org/coupang‑class‑action.
2. Click “Join the Class” and create a secure user profile (email verification required).

H3: 2️⃣ Submit Required Documentation

• Order receipts (PDF or screenshot).
• Correspondence with Coupang (customer‑service chats, email threads).
• Proof of loss (e.g., bank statements showing returned shipping fees).

H3: 3️⃣ Complete the claim Form

• Fill in personal details (name, resident registration number, contact info).
• Answer the “Incident Questions” – select each breach experienced (delivery,price,privacy).
• Review and digitally sign the affidavit confirming the truthfulness of the submission.

H3: 4️⃣ Opt‑Out or Opt‑In (If Applicable)

• The class action allows opt‑out only for members who prefer to pursue individual litigation.
• To stay in the class,no action is required beyond submitting the claim form.

H3: 5️⃣ Monitor Status & Receive Payment

• Log in weekly to check the “Claim Status Dashboard.”
• Once the settlement is approved, payouts will be transferred via bank wire or mobile payment (KakaoPay).

LSI keywords: claim portal registration, submit class action documentation, opt‑out option, payout distribution

H2: risks and Benefits of Joining

H3: Benefits

• No upfront legal fees – Attorney works on a contingency basis.
• Collective bargaining power – Higher chance of securing a settlement than individual lawsuits.
• Simplified process – Online claim form reduces paperwork.

H3: Risks

• Limited payout – Individual recovery may be modest compared with a separate lawsuit.
• Potential tax liability – Settlement is taxable, possibly reducing net benefit.
• Binding settlement – Once the class settles, members cannot pursue additional claims for the same conduct.

Primary keywords: benefits of class action, risks of joining class lawsuit, collective settlement

H2: Practical Tips from a Practicing Lawyer

1. Document everything – Create a dedicated folder on your device for all Coupang‑related records.
2. File early – Meet the September 30 2025 deadline; late filings are automatically rejected.
3. Verify the plaintiff’s credentials – Ensure the association is registered with the Korean Bar Association to avoid fraudulent schemes.
4. Consider tax advice – A small tax planning cost can increase net recovery by up to 15 %.
5. Don’t double‑dip – If you have already received a refund from Coupang for a specific order, you cannot claim that same loss again.

LSI keywords: lawyer’s advice, class action best practices, tax planning for settlements

H2: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I join if I purchased on Coupang’s mobile app?

• Yes. Purchases made via the app are covered as long as the order date falls within the eligibility window.

Q2: What if I moved abroad after the purchase?

• You remain eligible if you were a Korean resident at the time of purchase. Provide a forwarding address for payment.

Q3: Is there a deadline for submitting supporting documents?

• All documents must be uploaded by September 30 2025; late submissions may delay or invalidate your claim.

Q4: how long will the payout process take after the settlement is approved?

• Typically 4-6 weeks for bank transfers; mobile‑payment disbursements may be faster (2-3 weeks).

Q5: Can I withdraw my claim after filing?

• Yes, you may submit a “Withdrawal Request” through the portal until the settlement is finalized.

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H2: Resources & links

• FairShop Korea – Official Class Action Page – https://fairshopkorea.org/coupang‑class‑action (claims portal, eligibility matrix, FAQs).
• Seoul Central District Court – Case D‑2025‑0145 – Public docket for reference on certification order.
• Korean Consumer protection Act (2022 Revision) – Full text available at https://law.go.kr/ce/ConsumerProtectionAct2022.
• Tax Guidance for Settlement Recipients – Korean National Tax Service (NTS) bulletin https://nts.go.kr/settlement‑tax‑guide.

LSI keywords: class action resources, legal docket, consumer protection law, tax guidance for settlements