Coupang Launches Full Operation of Gwangju Advanced Logistics Center... Expanding Honam Delivery Zone

Completion Ceremony Held on the 14th... Full-Scale Operation Begins
Largest in Honam Region... Equivalent to 22 Soccer Fields
Expansion from 13 to 21 Kusae-gwon Cities and Counties
Direct Employment of About 2,000 Locals... Youth Employment Rate Increases

Coupang held a completion ceremony for the Gwangju Advanced Logistics Center (FC), the largest in the Honam region, and officially began operations. Through this, the 'Cusegwon (Rocket Delivery available area)' in the Honam region will expand from the existing 13 cities and counties to 21 cities and counties. Coupang also plans to directly employ about 2,000 people by prioritizing local residents in Gwangju, aiming to increase youth employment rates while expanding sales channels for local small and medium-sized businesses, thereby greatly contributing to the revitalization of the regional economy.

On the 14th, Coupang announced that it held the 'Gwangju Advanced Logistics Center Completion Ceremony' at the Pyeongdong General Industrial Complex in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, attended by Kang Gi-jung, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, and Park Dae-jun, CEO of Coupang. About 100 people attended the event, including Park Byung-gyu, head of Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, and Kim Myung-soo, chairman of the Gwangsan District Council.

A view of the Gwangju Advanced Logistics Center, the largest in the Honam region, which Coupang officially opened and began full operation on the 14th.
[Photo by Coupang]

The Gwangju Advanced Logistics Center has a total floor area of approximately 166,000㎡ (over 50,000 pyeong), equivalent to the size of 22 soccer fields. An MOU was signed with Gwangju Metropolitan City in September 2020, and construction began in September 2021. The total investment exceeds 200 billion KRW, and Coupang plans to directly employ about 2,000 people. The Gwangju Advanced Logistics Center is expected to establish itself as the largest nationwide Rocket Delivery logistics hub in the Honam region. It has introduced state-of-the-art automated logistics equipment such as Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGV) and sorting bots, and has prepared rest facilities.

With the completion of the Gwangju Advanced Logistics Center, the Cusegwon within the Honam region has expanded. Previously, it covered 13 cities and counties including Gunsan, Gimje, Wanju, Iksan, and Jeonju in Jeonbuk, and Gwangyang, Naju, Mokpo, Muan, Suncheon, Yeosu, Yeongam, and Gwangju in Jeonnam. Coupang plans to extend this to include population-declining areas such as Goheung, Boseong, Gurye, and Gokseong in Jeonnam, and Jinan, Jangsu, Imsil, and Sunchang in Jeonbuk by 2027. Until now, Coupang has only operated two small logistics centers in Gwangju.

Coupang expects that prioritizing local hiring will significantly increase youth employment in the Gwangju area. Since the agreement with Gwangju City in 2021, Coupang has been operating two logistics centers in the Pyeongdong General Industrial Complex, including one dedicated to fresh food (Rocket Fresh), with about 650 employees currently working there. A sharp increase in sales for local small and medium-sized businesses is also anticipated. Small and medium-sized businesses in Gwangju and the Honam region will be able to reduce logistics costs by stocking products at the Gwangju Advanced Logistics Center, and it is expected to provide an opportunity to secure nationwide Rocket Delivery sales channels.

Coupang held the completion ceremony for the Gwangju Advanced Logistics Center (FC), the largest in the Honam region, on the 14th.
[Photo by Coupang]

Kang Gi-jung, Mayor of Gwangju, said, "Attracting investments that grow Gwangju's industry and create jobs is of utmost importance," adding, "Gwangju City will continue to devote all efforts to creating a business-friendly investment environment, improving living conditions, and fostering talent to become a reliable partner for companies." Park Gyun-taek, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Gwangju Gwangsan-gap), said in a congratulatory video, "It is welcome news that more than 2,000 jobs will be created by prioritizing the hiring of Gwangju citizens," and added, "It is expected to improve the quality of life for citizens by providing faster and better delivery services to customers in the Honam region."

Park Dae-jun, CEO of Coupang, said, "Thanks to the tireless efforts of Gwangju City and various other stakeholders, we were able to complete a logistics center that can contribute to revitalizing the local economy," adding, "By prioritizing the employment of Gwangju citizens, it will act as a catalyst to invigorate the employment market throughout Gwangju, and we will actively support expanding sales channels for small and medium-sized businesses in the Honam region as well as enabling exports overseas, including to Taiwan."

Meanwhile, Coupang plans to invest about 3 trillion KRW by 2026 to build additional logistics infrastructure in nine regions nationwide, including Daejeon, Gwangju, and Gimcheon, Chilgok, and Ulsan in Gyeongbuk, directly employing more than 10,000 people. If the plan is realized, the total number of directly employed workers in Coupang and its logistics and delivery subsidiaries (Coupang Fulfillment Services and Coupang Logistics Services) will increase to about 80,000, with more than 80% of them working outside the Seoul area.

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