[25.12.26] Controversy Grows Over Alleged Disciplinary Action for Calling Ambulance at Coupang Facility

Controversy Grows Over Alleged Disciplinary Action for Calling Ambulance at Coupang Facility

📍Finger amputation case raises suspicions of industrial accident concealment as injuries surge

A controversy has emerged over allegations that a Coupang employee was disciplined for calling an ambulance after a coworker’s finger was severed in a workplace accident. Coupang has denied the claim, stating that no official accident record exists.

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🔹 Sharp Increase in Industrial Accidents at Coupang
Coupang’s harsh working conditions are reflected in industrial accident statistics. The number of industrial accidents at Coupang Fulfillment Services (CFS) and Coupang Logistics Services (CLS) surged from 324 cases in 2021 to 1,053 cases last year.

In July, a worker collapsed after completing early-morning parcel sorting and was taken to hospital, yet no preventive measures or additional safety training reportedly followed.

A former employee at Coupang’s Cheonan logistics center said, “Other companies conduct safety education after an accident, but there was nothing like that at our center.”

🔹 Ambulance Dispatches Rise, But Fewer Than Expected
The number of emergency ambulance dispatches to Coupang facilities has also increased, from 286 cases in 2022 to 384 cases this year—roughly one per day.

However, critics note that ambulance dispatches remain disproportionately low compared to the number of industrial accidents, as workers are often transported to hospitals in managers’ vehicles instead.

A Coupang worker said, “Unless it’s a serious accident, managers usually drive workers to nearby hospitals. Ambulance calls leave official records, which can lead to industrial accident reports, so there’s hesitation.”

🔹 Finger Amputation Case Sparks ‘Ambulance Report’ Controversy
The controversy centers on an incident in October 2022 at a Coupang fresh-food logistics center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, where a worker’s finger was severed during work.

A coworker deemed it an emergency and called 119, prompting an ambulance dispatch. However, the employee who made the call was reportedly required to submit a written explanation.

An industry source said, “The explanation was reportedly demanded because a company vehicle could have been used instead of an ambulance,” adding that the move appeared intended to avoid leaving an official accident record.

🔹 Coupang Denies Allegations
Coupang stated that “no confirmed accident record exists” and emphasized that “calling 119 and using ambulances is part of company guidelines.”

Nevertheless, ongoing testimonies from workers and industry insiders have raised questions about discrepancies between Coupang’s official stance and actual practices at logistics sites.

One-line summary : Allegations that a Coupang worker was disciplined for calling an ambulance after a serious injury have fueled concerns over industrial accident concealment.