Commitments and Contingencies |
3 Months Ended |
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Mar. 31, 2026 | |
| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Commitments and Contingencies | Commitments and Contingencies Commitments Long-term contractual commitments primarily include operating leases, long-term debt, and unconditional purchase obligations. Unconditional purchase obligations include legally binding contracts with terms in excess of one year that are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets. These contractual commitments primarily relate to purchases of technology related services, fulfillment center construction contracts, content, and software licenses. For contracts with variable terms, we do not estimate the total obligation beyond any minimum pricing as of the reporting date. Legal Matters From time to time, we may become party to litigation incidents and other legal proceedings, including regulatory proceedings, tax and other government inquiries, and investigations that arise in the ordinary course of business. Certain of these matters include speculative claims for substantial or indeterminate amounts of damages. Additionally, we are required to comply with laws and regulations, including tax laws, that currently apply or may become applicable to our operations in the United States, Korea, and other international jurisdictions, and we regularly become subject to new laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. The requirements for complying with these obligations may be uncertain and subject to interpretation and enforcement by regulatory and other authorities, and any failure or perceived failure to comply with such obligations could eventually lead to asserted legal or regulatory action. We assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes with respect to these matters and determine loss contingency assessments on a gross basis after assessing the probability of incurrence of a loss and whether a loss is reasonably estimable. In addition, we consider other relevant factors that could impact our ability to reasonably estimate a loss. A determination of the amount of reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is made after analyzing each matter. Our reserves may change in the future due to new developments or changes in strategy in handling these matters. We recognize estimated losses from contingencies when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We disclose material contingencies when we believe that a loss is at least reasonably possible. The ultimate outcome of these matters, such as whether the likelihood of loss is remote, reasonably possible, or probable or if and when the possible range of loss is reasonably estimable, is inherently uncertain. Therefore, if one or more of these matters were resolved against us for amounts that materially differ from management's estimates of losses, it could have a favorable or unfavorable impact on our results of operations and financial condition. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources, and other factors. Unless otherwise noted, with respect to the matters described below that do not include an estimate of the amount of loss or range of possible loss, such losses or range of possible losses either cannot be estimated or are not individually material, but we believe there is a reasonable possibility that they may be material in the aggregate. Litigation On August 26, 2022, a putative class action was filed on behalf of all purchasers of Coupang Class A common stock pursuant and/or traceable to Coupang’s registration statement issued in connection with our initial public offering. New York City Public Pension Funds v. Coupang, Inc. et al., formerly Choi v. Coupang, Inc. et al. was brought against Coupang and certain of its former and current directors, current officers, and certain underwriters of the offering. The action was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging inaccurate and misleading or omitted statements of material fact in Coupang's Registration Statement in violation of Sections 11, 12, and 15 of the Securities Act. The action was amended in May 2023, and added allegations of securities fraud under Sections 10 and 20 of the Exchange Act. The action seeks unspecified compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees, and reasonable costs and expenses. Between August and December 2023, three separate stockholders’ derivative actions were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and in December 2024 and March 2025, derivative actions were filed in Delaware Chancery Court, in each case against certain of Coupang’s former and current directors and current officers. Coupang was named as a nominal defendant in the various derivative actions. Aside from the aforementioned actions, there have been additional Delaware Section 220 records inspection demands. These derivative actions and related demands purport to assert claims on behalf of Coupang and make substantially similar factual allegations to New York City Public Pension Funds v. Coupang, Inc. et al., bringing claims for, among other things, breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and violations of securities laws. The actions seek compensatory damages, governance reforms, and other relief. On September 10, 2025, the Court dismissed New York City Public Pension Funds v. Coupang, Inc. et al. in its entirety without leave to amend. The plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on October 10, 2025, and the appeal is awaiting the court’s decision. We intend to continue to vigorously defend the claims and the appeal. A reasonable estimate of the amount of any possible loss or range of loss cannot be made at this time. Accordingly, we can provide no assurances as to the scope and outcome of these matters and no assurances as to whether our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows will not be materially adversely affected. In February and March 2025, we received demands on our Board of Directors alleging claims similar to those in the class and derivative actions and demanding civil actions by the Board against certain current and former directors and officers. Those demands have been provided to the Board of Directors to evaluate. In November 2025, Coupang became aware of a data incident involving unauthorized access to customer accounts by a former employee (the “Incident”). On January 6, 2026, a putative securities class action was filed against Coupang and certain of its officers and directors, as well as Coupang Corp., in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington on behalf of persons who purchased or acquired shares of Coupang Class A common stock between May 7, 2025 and December 16, 2025. This action, Lee and Park v. Coupang, Inc., alleges false and misleading statements related to the Incident in violation of Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act. The action seeks unspecified damages, attorney’s fees, and other costs and expenses. On January 6, 2026, a stockholder derivative action, Warga v. Bom Kim, et. al., was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and on March 24, 2026, a derivative action, Wilson v. Coupang was filed in the Western District of Washington. The derivative actions, which are based on the Incident, were filed against Coupang’s directors and certain of its officers, and against Coupang as a nominal defendant. They assert claims for breach of fiduciary duty and violations of securities laws and seek various remedies, including damages and improvements to governance and procedures. On February 6, 2026, a putative class action was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. This action, Lee and Park, v. Coupang, Inc. and Bom Kim, was also based on the Incident but alleges negligence, unjust enrichment, and violations of New York law on the part of Coupang and Mr. Kim related to allegedly being responsible for and overseeing data security for Coupang. The action seeks damages for all U.S. and Korean residents whose data was compromised. A reasonable estimate of the amount of any possible loss or range of loss resulting from the putative class action or the stockholder derivative action cannot be made at this time. Accordingly, we can provide no assurances as to the scope and outcome of these matters and no assurances as to whether our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows will not be materially adversely affected. We intend to vigorously defend against these related actions. Aside from the aforementioned actions, there have been additional demands on our Board of Directors and a Delaware Section 220 records inspection demand based on the Incident. These demands are currently being evaluated. Korean Fair Trade Commission Investigations In June 2021, the KFTC initiated an investigation into a potential violation of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act by two of our Korean subsidiaries, Coupang Corp. and CPLB, including certain alleged treatment of private labelled products provided by CPLB. In June 2024, the KFTC publicly announced that as a result of their investigation, they determined that Coupang Corp.’s product rankings disclosure violated Korean law (a regulatory finding subject to judicial review), and that they would impose an administrative fine on Coupang Corp., direct Coupang Corp. and CPLB to take certain related corrective actions, and refer the matter for criminal prosecution. In the second quarter of 2024, we accrued an administrative fine of approximately $121 million. Coupang Corp. will pay the administrative fine in six installments over two years and made the first payment in October 2024 and will make the last payment in June 2026. In August 2024, Coupang Corp. and CPLB received the KFTC’s formal written decision, and in September 2024, Coupang Corp. and CPLB appealed such decision. That appeal is pending. Hearings of the administrative litigation action were held in November 2024, March 2025, June 2025, July 2025, September 2025, November 2025, April 2026, and an eighth hearing is scheduled for June 2026. Coupang Corp. and CPLB also filed a preliminary injunction with the Seoul High Court to stay the fine and corrective orders during the pendency of the appeal. In October 2024, the Seoul High Court granted Coupang Corp.’s and CPLB’s request for suspension of the KFTC’s corrective orders, but dismissed the request for a stay of the KFTC’s administrative fine. The KFTC subsequently appealed the Seoul High Court’s decision to grant a suspension of the corrective orders and in February 2025, the Supreme Court of Korea dismissed the KFTC’s appeal. In November 2024, in response to the KFTC’s criminal referral, the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office initiated a criminal investigation into Coupang Corp. and CPLB. The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office issued an indictment dated May 1, 2025, on the same underlying facts as the administrative case. The criminal trial proceedings have begun at the Seoul Eastern District Court. Hearings for the criminal trial proceedings occurred in October 2025, December 2025, March 2026, and the next hearing is set for May 2026. The maximum penalty under the indictment is a fine of approximately $200,000. We intend to vigorously defend against these charges in court. In September 2024, the KFTC began an investigation of Coupang Corp. related to potential violations of Korea’s Fair Trade Act concerning the bundling Eats benefits with the WOW membership. The KFTC issued an examiner’s report in October 2025 arguing that such bundling is impermissible under the Fair Trade Act. In the event Coupang is ultimately found to have acted in violation of the law, a fine could be imposed and Coupang may be required to separate the Eats benefit of the WOW membership and customers would need to purchase this benefit separately. Coupang submitted its response to the examiner’s report and a hearing has not yet been scheduled. The KFTC and other regulators are also investigating Coupang Corp. and its subsidiaries on other matters. In December 2025, the NTS commenced an audit of income tax and value added tax filings with respect to the 2021 to 2025 tax years, which is still open. We are diligently cooperating with these investigations and actively defending our practices as appropriate. Under Korean law, if violations are identified in the investigations, these can be resolved through civil, administrative, or criminal proceedings. The ultimate case resolution could include fines, orders to alter our processes or procedures, and criminal investigations or charges against individuals or us. We cannot reasonably estimate any penalties, loss, or range of loss that may arise from these investigations. Accordingly, we can provide no assurance as to the scope and outcome of these matters and no assurance as to whether our business, financial position, results of operations, or cash flows will not be materially adversely affected. Data Incident In connection with the Incident, Coupang completed its investigation with the support of external forensic experts and shared the results of the investigation with Korean regulators. Korean regulators have also initiated ongoing investigations with which Coupang is fully cooperating. We believe that the Incident has increased and may further increase the Korean government’s focus on our business and could result in additional inquiries, enforcement actions, and litigation. Investigations by Korean authorities into the Incident have resulted in criminal complaints against certain of our current and former executives and employees. While one or more regulators may potentially impose financial penalties or take other actions, at this time we cannot determine the outcome of any inquiries, enforcement actions, or litigation, or reasonably estimate any amount of losses or range of losses that may result from such actions. We can provide no assurance as to the scope and outcome of these matters relating to the Incident and no assurance as to whether our business, financial position, results of operations, or cash flows will not be materially adversely affected.
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