A pilot service will deliver pensions in cash to National Pension recipients in 19 cities and counties in Gangwon and Jeonbuk provinces by post office delivery workers.

The Postal Service under the Ministry of Science and ICT said on Sunday it signed a business agreement with the National Pension Service to implement the “National Pension Safe Delivery Service” to improve financial access for beneficiaries.

Under the service, a post office delivery worker will bring cash pension payments directly to recipients who apply in advance at a post office and will check on their wellbeing and living conditions. The National Pension Service will cover postal costs required to operate the service.

Under the agreement, the two agencies will accept applications from people born before 1951 who live in 19 cities and counties in Gangwon and Jeonbuk and receive the national pension through a post office account. The pilot will run for six months from July to December. The agencies will decide whether to expand the service nationwide based on an evaluation of the pilot project.

Park In-hwan (박인환), head of Korea Post, said the service would provide practical help to older people who have seen their financial access decline due to a reduction in bank branches. He said Korea Post would continue to expand public services people can feel through cooperation with various agencies.