The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport building. [The Herald Business DB]
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport building. [The Herald Business DB]

South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Korea Post and the Korea Integrated Logistics Association signed an MOU Tuesday to lay the groundwork for testing private-sector logistics technology in real operational settings, as part of a broader push to drive AI transformation in the logistics industry. The three parties said they will launch a pilot program using postal sorting centers as live testing sites.

In recent years, logistics technology has evolved rapidly — from automated equipment to AI-powered intelligent operating systems. Yet companies developing advanced technology have had few opportunities to test performance and reliability in actual logistics environments, hampering both technological refinement and commercialization.

The pilot program was designed to address that gap. The government plans to open real postal logistics sites and data to the private sector, creating an environment where companies can freely test cutting-edge logistics technology in the field.

Under the MOU, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will provide regulatory and policy support, Korea Post will supply testing environments including postal sorting centers, and the Korea Integrated Logistics Association will actively recruit companies wishing to participate in the pilot.

The program will designate select postal sorting centers nationwide as testing sites. It will run two tracks: government-set "designated tasks" and company-driven "open proposals," in which firms submit their own ideas directly.

Companies wishing to participate must submit an application, including a business plan, to the Korea Integrated Logistics Association by email by Aug. 21. Final pilot projects will be selected in September following evaluation of testing plans and operational suitability, with full-scale testing set to begin in the second half of this year.

An information session will be held July 24 to explain the testing sites and guide applicants on preparing business plans. A site visit will follow in early August for interested companies.

Park Jae-soon, director general for transport and logistics at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said AI is "the core technology that will determine the competitiveness of the future logistics industry," adding that the government will continue to provide the support needed to develop high-quality technology and accelerate its adoption in the field.

Park In-hwan, postmaster general of Korea Post, said postal sorting centers, backed by a nationwide logistics network and diverse operating environments, are well suited for private-sector logistics technology testing. He expressed hope that the program would improve both operational efficiency and service quality in postal logistics — for the private sector and Korea Post alike.


hss@heraldcorp.com