The undated file photo shows a delivery worker moving parcels. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 1 (Korea Bizwire) — The state civic rights watchdog has requested that relevant agencies correct malpractices engaged in by parcel delivery companies and online shopping malls charging extra fees for deliveries to offshore islands.
The the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission on Tuesday said it has set up plans to reduce extra parcel delivery charges to offshore islands and recommended them to relevant agencies.
The commission pointed out that extra delivery charges to Jeju and the surrounding islands amount to an average of 2,091 won per delivery, which is five times the extra charge (443 won) on the mainland.
It also found that islands connected to the mainland are still subject to extra parcel delivery fees charged for delivery by ship.
Moreover, extra delivery charges for the same product would cost two to 20 times more depending on which shopping mall it was purchased from.
Based on the study, the watchdog asked the Ministry of Interior and Safety to regularly conduct investigations on island regions to manage them under the national statistic database and make them public.
It also asked the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to carry out periodic investigations on delivery charges and come up with standards and assessment tools for logistics services.
The commission asked the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to abolish delivery fees that are automatically charged without a proper basis, and set up rules to specify the cost of labor and fees.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
