The rider rode on this icy road again today... "7 hours, 300,000 won"

Delivery Fees Soar as Roads Freeze Due to Cold Wave
"Trying to Earn a Bit More..." Concerns Over Accidents Arise

"I worked 7 hours a day and earned 300,000 won."

"I think I got paid three times more than usual."

Last weekend (17th-18th), when the whole country was frozen by a cold wave, the delivery industry heated up. Due to snow and icy roads making food delivery difficult, the delivery fee per order soared. Posts from riders boasting 'high earnings' after receiving 3 to 4 times more delivery fees than usual continued to appear. However, some express concerns that chasing high delivery fees might lead to neglecting safety.

Delivery fees may temporarily increase in bad weather conditions such as heavy snowfall. / Photo by Yonhap News

Delivery fees soared as roads froze... Riders certify 'high earnings'

On the 17th, in the community 'Baedal Sesang' mainly joined by delivery riders, posts certifying the delivery fees they received kept coming. Some said, "I earned 300,000 won working 7 hours," while others estimated potential earnings, saying, "I think 500,000 won a day is possible."

The reason for the surge in delivery riders' income was the sudden cold snap. Between the 17th and 18th, a cold wave with temperatures around minus 15 degrees Celsius hit the central region, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongbuk. Some areas issued heavy snow warnings, and after snow fell, it melted and refroze, turning roads and sidewalks into icy surfaces.

Roads covered with snow and ice are dangerous not only for pedestrians but also for riders. Because of this, while delivery demand surged, the number of delivery riders temporarily decreased, causing the delivery fee per order to skyrocket.

On the 17th, when a heavy snow warning was issued in Gwangju / Photo by Yonhap News

Currently, the basic delivery fee per order on app-based delivery platforms is known to be around 4,000 to 5,000 won. In addition, surcharges are applied during weather conditions generally avoided by riders, such as rain, heatwaves, and cold waves. By offering higher delivery fees than usual, more riders are attracted.

This is not the first time delivery fees temporarily surged due to a cold wave. When a heavy snow warning was issued in Seoul and the metropolitan area last December, posts boasting so-called 'record-high delivery fees' from riders appeared on online communities and social networking services (SNS).

"Trying to earn one more won could cost your life"... Safety accident concerns also raised

However, riding a motorcycle on frozen roads involves a high risk of safety accidents. The Korea Meteorological Administration also emphasized "paying special attention to traffic safety" while forecasting the cold wave in the metropolitan area. Because of this, some riders voice concerns that the practice of recklessly trying to deliver for high surcharges should be restrained.

One rider wrote in an online community, "The most dangerous time while delivering is when it snows. Motorcycles do not slow down even when you brake," explaining, "It is dangerous even when facing a hill or even a slope. On such days, it is better to rest."

Another rider emphasized, "Going out to earn one more won could damage your motorcycle or cost your life," adding, "Weather is really not something to take lightly."

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