Few know new zip code system

By Kim Se-jeong

The nation will adopt five-digit zip codes instead of the current six-digit format starting Saturday ― a change not many people know about.

Many have criticized the government for not doing enough to let the public know about the change.

While the current codes are comprised of three numbers, a dash and three more numbers, the new five-number codes will not have a dash. The first three digits will signify the location of the province, city and district, and the remaining two digits for the rest of the address.

The change is part of the government’s effort to unify administrative districts, which were previously categorized from one governmental organization to another. The street name-based address system, which was introduced in 2014, was part of that effort.

However, many citizens say they have not heard about the change just days before the new system goes into effect.

“No one told me about the change,” a housewife surnamed Choi complained. “It will not change my life anyway, because I don’t use the postal service often. I don’t remember my old zip code anyway.”

Yet, the Korea Post, which is in charge of the project, downplayed the public’s complaints.

“We have had an active awareness campaign,” a Korea Post official said.

“We mailed out letters about the change twice to all households in the country. Local authorities put notices on apartment elevators, and the central government has run advertisements on TV and radio, and held street campaigns,” he said.

The official said that it took at least one year to prepare for the new zip code system. “We had to change the computer system. Also, we had to train all postmen so they are familiar with the new numbers. There is more work to be done.”

Some people have also raised questions about the effectiveness of the new zip codes.

“I’ve heard about the change on the radio, but honestly, I don’t understand what the government is trying to achieve,” a Seoul taxi driver surnamed Kim said. “The street name change gave me enough of headache. The new zip code will not confuse me as much as the new street names, but it’s confusing that there’s a new number associated with my address.”

The current six-digit number system has been in place for 27 years. Korea first adopted a zip code system in 1970.