Korea Post to raise parcel-delivery prices by average of 14.5percent

South Korea’s state postal service will hike its parcel-delivery prices by an average of 14.5 percent beginning in July, in a bid to better compete with private competitors, Korea Post said. Under the decision, the price of sending an ordinary parcel weighing less than 5 kilograms within the same province will rise from 2,000 won (USD1.70) to 2,500 won. As for a package of less than 10 kilograms, the price will increase from 2,500 won to 3,200 won, the postal agency said in a press briefing. “The hike is the first in eight years, and it is needed to compete with private package-delivery companies,” said Kong Seok, head of Korea Post’s parcel business division. “Since the agency left the rates unchanged over the past eight years, the parcel service division was in the red,” he said. By paying more, Korea Post hopes that people will benefit from more customer-friendly service, Kong said. Following the hike, the postal agency plans to expand its customer call centers nationwide to better respond to complaints, Korea Post said.