Coupang’s interim CEO Harold Rogers visited South Korea’s Chungcheong region to meet with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), aiming to address on-the-ground challenges and explore ways to expand collaboration.
Rogers traveled to Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, on April 8, where he held a roundtable discussion with representatives from local manufacturing and distribution companies. The visit was intended to strengthen communication with partner firms facing mounting pressures from global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, currency fluctuations, and volatile energy prices.
The meeting brought together a diverse group of SMEs, including grain processors, meal kit and prepared food manufacturers, paper and household goods producers, food companies, and agricultural cooperatives. Participants shared concerns over rising raw material costs, supply chain stability, operational efficiency in agricultural products, expansion of business-to-business (B2B) transactions, and the need to develop overseas markets.
Rogers said Coupang would review support measures to help ease cost burdens and enhance supply stability for its partners. He also emphasized the company’s commitment to expanding global sales channels, including opportunities in overseas markets such as Taiwan.
In addition, Coupang plans to create new growth opportunities through the expansion of B2B channels and joint product development. The company also aims to establish a direct communication hotline between its management and partner firms to ensure that field-level feedback is reflected more quickly in decision-making.
Industry participants welcomed the initiative, with one attendee noting that cooperation with Coupang has supported steady business growth, while another highlighted the value of having a direct channel to share operational challenges.
Following the roundtable, Rogers visited local production facilities to observe manufacturing processes firsthand, from raw material intake to processing, packaging, and shipment.
The visit follows his recent engagement at logistics sites and signals a broader push to strengthen field-oriented management. Rogers said SMEs play a critical role in supporting regional economies and industries, adding that Coupang will continue to build a foundation for shared growth with its partners.
