The post office will take part in national statistical surveys by using its network of postal delivery workers.

The Postal Service under the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Data Agency signed an agreement on May 6 at the Government Complex Daejeon on “efficient statistical surveys using the post office network”.

The agreement follows President Lee Jae-myung repeatedly stressing at Cabinet meetings and elsewhere the need to find government-commissioned projects that use the post office network to improve the efficiency of government agencies.

Under the deal, postal delivery workers will visit some households in areas covered by the first trial survey for the 2029 household and housing basic survey, which will be conducted in November, in 3 cities, counties and districts. The Postal Service will run pre-tests from June.

The Postal Service has expanded public-sector projects by using its nationwide network connecting rural and fishing communities and remote islands and mountainous areas, starting with the launch of its “welfare registered mail” service in 2022, and then gas safety inspections and checks for vacant homes.

Park In-hwan (박인환), head of the Postal Service, said public trust in postal delivery workers is high and active public participation will be possible. He said the service will continue to contribute to improving government efficiency through agreements with various organisations.

Lee Myung-ho (이명호), deputy head of the National Data Agency, said national statistics are the starting point for policy and a public resource for accurately understanding people’s lives. He said he hoped cooperation between the two agencies would be an opportunity to build a foundation for producing national statistics that people can trust more.