Minister of Industry Visits Coupang... "Pay Attention to Delivery Workers' Safety Management"

Visit to Yangsan Logistics Center with an average of 800 people working in two shifts per day

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Sung Yun-mo, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, visited the Coupang distribution logistics center in Yangsan, Gyeongnam on the 17th and urged caution in managing the safety of delivery drivers during the Chuseok holiday period.

An average of 800 people (two shifts) work daily at the Yangsan Coupang distribution logistics center.

From the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Minister Sung and Cheon Young-gil, Director of the SME Policy Bureau, attended, while from Coupang, Executive Director Kim Myung-kyu and quarantine managers were present.

Minister Sung emphasized safety management for workers in response to the surge in order processing and delivery, as well as facility and personal quarantine management.

Coupang explained that they are conducting quarantine management at the distribution logistics center through electronic entry control, close proximity alerts between employees, tracking of shared item users, and contactless delivery.

A Coupang official stated, "We will actively cooperate with quarantine authorities and do our best to prevent and block the spread of group infections."

More than 150 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported at Coupang logistics centers, mainly in the metropolitan area.

Confirmed COVID-19 cases have occurred consecutively in Bucheon and Goyang cities in Gyeonggi Province, and Songpa in Seoul. It is true that 'n-th generation infections' have continued at logistics centers, delivery centers, and partner companies.

Because of this, the Coupang COVID-19 Victims Association and the Victims Support Committee have filed a complaint with the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office against nine people including Coupang CEO Kim Beom-seok, on charges of violating the Industrial Safety and Health Act, the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, and professional negligence causing injury.

Meanwhile, on the 16th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held a 'Distribution Industry Quarantine Measures Inspection Meeting' to check the industry's quarantine management preparation and implementation status and to share government quarantine measures.

They announced plans to focus on preventing infectious diseases at distribution logistics centers through joint inspections with related agencies such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Employment and Labor, and local governments weekly before Chuseok and as needed after Chuseok.