Cases are increasing of post office mail carriers acting as a community safety net. On-site good deeds have continued, including rescuing drivers who lost consciousness in traffic accidents and helping residents injured in machinery accidents. This has prompted assessments that post offices are establishing themselves as public infrastructure closely tied to daily life.

The Postal Service said on April 14 that the role of post office mail carriers is expanding to include local daily-life support. Recent cases show their role extending beyond simply reporting accidents to include initial response.

In March, a mail carrier who witnessed a traffic accident in Seoul’s Gangnam district also stepped in to manage the scene by blocking vehicles from approaching. Yoo Sang-beom (유상범), a Seoul Gangnam Post Office carrier passing near Hangnyeoul Station, found the crashed vehicle, checked the driver’s condition and reported it to 119. He then directed traffic on the congested road.

Last year, Lee Seok-ho (이석호), a Seoul Dongjak Post Office carrier, warned an elderly person receiving a voice phishing call and reported it to 112, preventing losses worth about 10 million won. He received a letter of appreciation from police.

Similar cases have continued outside the capital. In Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, a carrier delivering mail found a man in his 60s who had collapsed at a gas explosion site, administered first aid and helped with the rescue. In Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, carriers found a fire at a commercial recycling site and took initial action to put it out, dedicating themselves to public safety. Kim Kkot-ma-eum (김꽃마음), head of the Gyeongin Regional Post Office, described it as a case in which a sense of duty stood out, with carriers looking out for emergencies beyond their primary role of delivering mail.

Such good deeds are not one-off events. Nationwide, cases are steadily reported in which carriers discover emergencies and report them while visiting elderly people living alone. In particular, for those with limited mobility or cut off from social relationships, carriers often effectively serve as the first to find them.

Recently, this role has also been expanding institutionally. The Postal Service last year, together with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, made its "Ansimsal pim-sopo" project a regular programme. The project involves periodic visits to elderly and isolated households to prevent risk factors. If anomalies are found, it is structured to link immediately with local governments or relevant institutions. It has effectively taken on a role of addressing welfare blind spots beyond mail delivery.

It also serves as the legs for older people. Early last year, the Postal Service worked with People Power Party lawmaker Shin Sung-beom in four areas of South Gyeongsang Province to run a pilot cash-delivery service for local government subsidies using the post office network. The measure aimed to improve convenience for older people who have difficulty visiting financial institutions.

The industry assesses this as the mail carrier role evolving into everyday safety infrastructure. That is because a nationwide network of personnel combined with regular visits puts carriers in a position to spot emergencies first.

Still, concerns are also raised about burdens and safety issues stemming from the expanded role. Critics say systematic training and protection are needed because carriers’ own risk could increase while responding at traffic accident scenes or during rescue activities. This means institutional support should accompany the effort for it to take hold as a sustainable public service.

Meanwhile, the Postal Service is encouraging field staff and working to boost morale. Park In-hwan, who took office in February, has continued visits to local post offices to encourage carriers who carried out good deeds. Park said, "Mail carriers are fully carrying out the role of watchdogs across our society and delivering good influence."