'Unmanned Print Shops' to Open in Seoul Subway Stations

Seoul Metro Signs Business Contract with Unmanned Printing Specialist 'UPISOFT'
Six Expanded Stores Including Line 7 Taereungipgu Station Scheduled to Open Sequentially by Year-End

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] ‘Unmanned print shops’ are being established at various Seoul subway stations.

On the 2nd, Seoul Metro announced that it signed a contract with UpySoft after inviting bids for the ‘Unmanned Print Shop’ project in August this year. UpySoft is a specialized company operating unmanned print shops nationwide, running 120 stores mainly around workplaces, schools, and residences by providing 24-hour unmanned printing services.

So far, the corporation has prioritized discovering vacant commercial spaces within stations where there is high demand for unmanned print shops, such as schools, workplaces, and residential areas, to promote the project. Starting with Bulgwang Station on Line 3 in July this year, pilot operations began at four stations, and following strong public response, six stations including Taereungipgu Station on Line 7 were collectively selected. The six stations will open sequentially from the end of this year, starting with those that have completed business preparations.

To use the print shop, customers download their desired files via email or USB on the in-store computer, select the files on the multifunction printer, and print them. Payment can be made by credit card or T-money transportation card. No membership registration or other procedures are required, making it easy for elderly users unfamiliar with unmanned devices to use the service.

Through unmanned print shops located in subway stations, citizens can use printing services without time or spatial constraints. Operators can reduce operating costs through unmanned management, ensuring the sustainability of this convenience-enhancing project for citizens.

Jung Seon-in, Head of the New Growth Division at Seoul Metro, said, “The unmanned print shop project is the result of efforts to attract various businesses that incorporate the advantages of unmanned stores into subway stations. We will continue to strive to promote projects that achieve both coexistence with operators and increased satisfaction for users.”