South KoreaIs an accident while delivering packages a work injury?
Yes, an accident while delivering packages is generally considered a work injury under South Korean law if it occurs during work duties and within the scope of employment.
What the Law Says
South Korean law defines work-related injuries broadly to include accidents that occur while performing job duties — including delivery work — regardless of location, as long as the activity is part of assigned work.
Under the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act, an injury is compensable if it arises 'in the course of employment' — meaning during work hours, at a work-related location, or while carrying out employer-assigned tasks.
Delivery drivers (including part-time, contract, and platform-based workers) are covered if their injury occurs while performing delivery duties — even while traveling between stops or using personal vehicles for work.
The law explicitly includes 'injury caused by an accident occurring in the course of employment' as a qualifying industrial accident, with no requirement that the injury happen inside a workplace or office.
Statutory TextAn industrial accident means an injury, illness, disability or death caused by work-related reasons such as work execution, hazardous substances, or working environment.
— Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act, s. 2 — Definition of Industrial Accident
Statutory TextAn injury sustained by a worker while executing work assigned by the employer shall be deemed to have occurred in the course of employment.
— Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act, s. 36 — Presumption of Work-Relatedness
What to Do
Report the accident to your employer immediately — within 24 hours is strongly recommended.
Seek medical treatment and obtain a diagnosis and medical certificate from a licensed physician.
File a claim with the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service (KCOMWELFARE) within 1 year of the accident.
Submit supporting documents: employment verification, delivery logs, GPS records, witness statements, and medical reports.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.