The National Service Parcel, Now Indispensable, Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary This Year

Early delivery vehicle of Hanjin Express (left in the photo) and Daejeon Smart Mega Hub Terminal

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Logistics company Hanjin Co., Ltd. first introduced courier services in Korea on June 16, 1992, thirty years ago. Under the brand name "Pabalma," which refers to the horses used for military and official purposes during the Joseon Dynasty, they launched a groundbreaking service at the time. Prior to that, in 1988, they had designated courier services as a new business, formed a team, and obtained the first permit for small parcel integrated transportation in 1991. Courier services, regarded as an "innovation in daily logistics," thus took their first step.

Korea's courier industry grew rapidly in the 2000s alongside the sharp rise of new distribution channels such as TV home shopping and e-commerce. Last year, the average usage frequency per person reached 70 times annually.

Hanjin Co., Ltd. proactively introduced various specialized services. In the early days, they operated specialized services such as golf, ski, and kimchi courier deliveries, and in 2003, they became the first in the industry to implement same-day courier services. They also made a mark overseas. In 1994, they partnered with Airborne Express in the United States to start express commercial document delivery services across the entire U.S., and in 1996, expanded services to 220 locations worldwide in collaboration with Korean Air and TNT Express.

Additionally, reflecting the increase in cargo volume, they invested in hubs such as the Daejeon Hub Terminal in 2006 and the Seoul Integrated Logistics Complex in 2015, while introducing automation equipment and value-added services through partnerships. The company plans to strengthen IT system-based operational capabilities and efficiently manage infrastructure to lead the future daily courier market. They also intend to improve working conditions for courier drivers.

A Hanjin Co., Ltd. representative stated, "We will continue to secure customer-centered growth momentum and devote all efforts to providing differentiated value and new digital experiences to our customers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.