Approved workplace injury cases in delivery sector nearly triple to 1,516 in 2025

The number of approved workplace injury cases in the delivery sector nearly tripled from 561 in 2021 to 1,516 last year, with approved work-related deaths rising 55.6 percent year-on-year to 14 cases.

The figures come from data released Thursday by People Power Party lawmaker Kim Wi-sang of the National Assembly's Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee. Approved injury cases last year totaled 1,516 — an increase of 955 cases, or 170.2 percent, from 2021.

Annual approved case counts have risen every year: 561 in 2021, 700 in 2022, 1,182 in 2023, 1,424 in 2024 and 1,516 last year. This year, 692 cases had been approved through May.

Breaking down last year's approved cases by type, accidents accounted for 1,341 cases, or 88.5 percent of the total. Disease-related injuries numbered 103 cases (6.8 percent), while commuting accidents made up 72 cases (4.7 percent).

Among disease-related injuries, musculoskeletal disorders were the most common at 87 cases. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions accounted for 13 cases. All six work-related deaths attributed to illness last year involved cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease.

Approved work-related death counts stood at 10 in 2021, 11 each in 2022 and 2023, 9 in 2024 and 14 last year — the highest in the past five years, up five from the previous year. This year, seven deaths had been approved as work-related injuries through June.

"The sharp rise in work-related deaths in the delivery sector last year, despite the government's various measures, shows that existing policies remain disconnected from reality and have failed to address the structural causes," Kim said. "The government must move beyond a regulation-only approach and develop genuinely effective prevention measures."