The human cost of S Korea's ultra-convenient overnight deliveries
Summary
A South Korean warehouse worker named Jang Deok-jun died of a heart attack linked to overwork while doing overnight shifts for the country’s largest online retailer, Coupang. His death has raised concerns about the health effects of South Korea’s fast overnight delivery industry, where workers often face heavy workloads.Key Facts
- Jang Deok-jun, 27, worked overnight shifts at Coupang’s warehouse and died in 2020 from a heart attack caused by overwork.
- South Korea guarantees delivery by 7 a.m. for orders placed before midnight, relying on a large overnight workforce.
- Coupang is the biggest online retailer in South Korea, with nearly 100,000 employees, leading in fast overnight delivery.
- From 2020 to May 2026, 46 delivery and warehouse workers died from work-related strokes or heart disease, but exact data on overnight shift deaths is unclear.
- South Korea does not limit the number of hours workers can operate overnight, unlike some countries such as the UK.
- Night work is recognized by the UN as a possible cause of cancer and is linked to higher risks of heart disease, diabetes, and mental illness.
- The workers’ union in South Korea has called for a ban on overnight deliveries starting in 2025 to improve worker health and safety.
- Some experts question current data and stress that night shifts may have more harmful long-term health effects than daytime work.
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