Domestic postage will rise to 500 won from 430 won for the first time in five years. The move aims to overcome a widening business deficit caused by declining mail volume and rising expense.
Korea Post under the Ministry of Science and ICT said that starting on the 1st, it will adjust the domestic standard postage for items up to 25g to 500 won from 430 won. It is the first postage change in five years since 2021.
Korea Post said, "To minimize the public burden, we have pursued intensive management innovation, including streamlining counter and transport networks and cutting expense by improving the use of aging facilities and equipment," adding, "In particular, although we have tried to curb the factors for rate adjustments as much as possible through new revenue sources such as launching semi-registered mail and partnering with convenience stores, and by expanding public services such as welfare mail and the collection of expired medicines, the deficit has grown despite these self-help efforts."
As the digital transition accelerates, continued declines in mail volume and higher costs to maintain the post office network increased the postal business deficit to 311.6 billion won in 2025 from 165.9 billion won in 2024.
Korea Post President Park In-hwan said, "We ask for the public's deep understanding that we had no choice but to adjust rates due to the expanding deficit in the postal services segment," adding, "We will do our best to eliminate administrative and welfare blind spots by creating a safe working environment for frontline workers such as letter carriers, minimizing rate-adjustment factors through AI transition and work innovation, and expanding public services such as welfare mail and care-check parcels."