Debate over safety management responsibility reignites after fire at Coupang logistics center

With another major fire breaking out at a Coupang logistics center about five years later, controversy is growing over whether the company’s safety management system was properly functioning. In a statement on July 18, Coupang apologized for the fire at its Incheon logistics center and said it called 119 immediately after recognizing the fire and that all onsite employees evacuated. It also explained that it would support firefighting efforts and cooperate with the investigation by the relevant authorities. The fire is being analyzed as having been difficult to extinguish due to the nature of the logistics center, which had a large amount of stored goods and an open structure. However, there are calls for an inspection of whether sufficient measures to prevent a recurrence were implemented after the 2021 fire at the Icheon Deokpyeong logistics center. In the industry, there are concerns that consumer backlash could grow further, especially in conjunction with Coupang’s external lobbying activities.