Deputy Prime Minister and Science and ICT Minister Baek Kyung-hoon (배경훈) urged mail carriers working in extreme heat to put their health and safety first. He also asked for public understanding and consideration as mail delivery could be delayed due to safety measures for mail carriers.

Baek wrote on Facebook on Tuesday that he had heard news that a mail carrier delivering mail in this week's heat wave felt unwell and was taken to hospital.

Earlier, a mail carrier in their 30s delivering mail in a residential area in Seoul was taken to hospital after showing suspected heat-illness symptoms such as hand tremors. The carrier was reported to have shown no serious abnormalities in test results.

Baek urged mail carriers working in the heat wave to use their "right to stop mail delivery work" without hesitation if they feel unwell. "This time too, the mail carrier stopped work on their own and called 119, which helped avoid a bigger danger," he said. "Stopping briefly is not neglecting work, but a necessary step to prevent a bigger accident," he added.

Korea Post is also strengthening on-site safety management due to the heat wave. It will run a "special safety and health management period for postal workers" through Oct. 2. It will spend about 1.4 billion won to provide workers with heat-relief vests, cooling arm sleeves and bottled water, among other supplies to prevent heat illness. Mail sorting centers will also strengthen their response to the heat wave by maintaining appropriate indoor temperatures and sharing heat-illness prevention measures.

Baek also asked the public to cooperate. "For safety due to the heat wave, mail delivery work may stop briefly or mail delivery may be somewhat delayed," he said. "A small amount of understanding and consideration is a great help in protecting mail carriers' health and safety," he stressed.

"The Ministry of Science and ICT and Korea Post will also look closely to ensure that on-site safety rules in this heat wave actually work, and that anyone can stop work without burden when needed," he said. "As the hot weather appears likely to continue, I hope all mail carriers nationwide will put their health first," he added.