South Korea's booming overnight delivery services are under increasing scrutiny as a growing number of workers are reportedly dying from work-related illnesses, including strokes and heart disease. Between 2020 and May 2026, the country's official workers' compensation body, Comwel, recognized 46 warehouse and delivery workers as having died from such conditions while on the job.
While the exact number of overnight shift workers among these fatalities is unclear, the issue has gained prominence as night-time deliveries expand rapidly. Comwel's data on overwork investigations is patchy, as such inquiries only occur if a worker's family requests it as part of their claim. Previously, Comwel data suggested that day-time delivery workers had higher rates of death from overwork and accidents, but this is now being questioned due to the growing volume of night-time operations.
The workers' union argues that long-term health impacts of night-time work are more severe. Evidence suggests night-time work is a probable cause of cancer globally, according to the UN's cancer research body, and may also increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and mental illness, according to Kang Mo-yeol, a professor of occupational medicine at the Catholic University of Korea.
Unlike some countries, such as the UK where night-time delivery drivers are limited to working no more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period, South Korea does not have limits on overnight working hours.
In 2025, the Korean delivery workers' union called for a ban on overnight deliveries. However, the union representing Coupang's drivers stated that nearly all of its members prefer working at night, citing reasons such as caring for family members during the day and higher pay.