Coupang Eats Services will work with related agencies ahead of the coming hot season to provide on-site support to help prevent heat-related illness among delivery partners.

Coupang Eats Services (CES) said on Saturday it will cooperate with the Ministry of Employment and Labor and local governments to activate a tailored heatwave response system for delivery partners and expand the scale of practical support. The measures are based on the labor ministry's five basic heatwave safety rules: water, cooling, rest, cooling gear and calling 119.

CES will first work with the labor ministry, the Korea Labor Mutual Aid Association and local governments to run a heatwave preparedness sharing campaign. The campaign starts in Bucheon on June 17 and will run for two months through August in 10 regions. Delivery partners who visit the sites will receive items such as large tumblers, coffee and snack trucks, bottled water, electrolyte drinks and summer supplies. CES also plans to give out iced coffee exchange vouchers next month.

It will also expand rest spaces nationwide. Bottled water, electrolyte drinks and glucose candy, along with heatwave items such as cooling scarves and cooling arm sleeves, will be stocked at mobile worker shelters in about 50 local governments across the country on a regular basis.

CES will also work with the Korea Motorcycle Maintenance Association to operate about 140 service centers nationwide as "delivery partner cooling rest shelters". It improved accessibility so riders can rest while on the move by equipping each center with air conditioners, refrigerators and water purifiers in major regions including the Seoul metropolitan area, Chungcheong, Honam, Yeongnam, Gangwon and Jeju.

It also overhauled its safety guidance system based on weather conditions. Using weather data, it provides real-time response guidance through the "Coupang Eats Delivery Partner" application when conditions worsen, including heatwaves, heavy rain and typhoons. It recommends that delivery partners immediately stop work and move to a safe place if heat illness is suspected or if difficulties arise while making deliveries.

A Coupang Eats Services official said, "The most important thing in a heatwave is to ensure basic safety rules are actually followed in the field." The official added, "We will continue cooperation with related agencies and keep providing the support needed so delivery partners can ride safely."