Expanding the Role of Korea Post: From Vacant House Surveys to Banking Services

Korea Post's Annual Briefing on January 13
Diversifying Revenue Streams with Vacant House Surveys, Next-Day Delivery, and Bank Agency Services

Yonhap News Agency

Korea Post is seeking to improve its management conditions by newly identifying government-commissioned tasks such as vacant house surveys and resident registration verification. The organization also plans to pursue amendments to relevant laws in order to be institutionally designated as a public service delivery platform, similar to welfare-certified mail.

On January 13, at the Central Post Office in Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea Post presented these initiatives as key plans for the year during a work briefing for institutions under the Ministry of Science and ICT in the fields of science culture and postal services.

The vacant house survey will involve postal workers checking on-site for vacant properties and sharing relevant information with the Korea Real Estate Board. Korea Post is preparing a pilot project in selected areas, including Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province.

In the postal service sector, Korea Post plans to expand partnerships with convenience store chains to improve accessibility for mail drop-off. The number of 'Eco Postboxes,' which can collect used medicines and spent coffee capsules, will be increased to a total of 1,000 nationwide.

In logistics, Korea Post will establish new logistics centers in the Seoul metropolitan area to boost delivery efficiency and expand next-day delivery services. The organization will also develop new logistics businesses, such as warehouse proxy services for small and medium-sized shippers.

In the financial sector, Korea Post will utilize the newly permitted bank agency system from this year, enabling residents in areas without bank branches to access face-to-face financial services at post offices and similar locations. Based on this, the organization aims to develop policy-based and inclusive financial products, expand partnerships with fintech firms, and diversify its range of insurance products.

Korea Post will accelerate its transition to artificial intelligence (AX) by applying AI across logistics operations and conducting pilot projects for unmanned AI post offices. At the same time, it plans to strengthen its information security system by introducing automatic data encryption and to upgrade disaster recovery systems to prevent a recurrence of service disruptions, such as the suspension of post office shopping services following the National Information Resources Service fire.

The Korea Post Logistics Support Agency will explore new business models, such as acting as a customs clearance proxy for small businesses selling products overseas through cross-border e-commerce. The agency will also promote AI transformation in logistics sites, including pilot projects for autonomous cargo trucks and AI-based risk-detection forklifts.

During the work briefing, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Baek Kyunghoon called on Korea Post to devise stronger measures to address deficits in the postal sector. He also emphasized the need to develop financial fraud prevention strategies targeting vulnerable groups in connection with Korea Post's financial business.