Seoul taps delivery riders to spot, report danger early

Delivery riders attend the launch ceremony for the 2026 Seoul Citizen Safety Guardians program, Monday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

By Lee Kyung-min

• Published Jun 16, 2026 1:17 PM KST

The people who know Seoul’s streets best are being asked to do more than deliver food.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday it has launched the 2026 Seoul Citizen Safety Guardians program, enlisting 20 delivery riders to help identify hazards such as potholes, flooding risks and damaged infrastructure before they lead to accidents.

The initiative, which officially began with a launch ceremony Monday at Jeon Tae-il Memorial Hall in Jongno District, will run through September and is designed to strengthen citizen-based safety monitoring across the city.

City officials said the program draws on the mobility and on-the-ground experience of delivery riders, who travel dozens or even hundreds of kilometers each day and are often among the first to encounter potential dangers in neighborhoods and along major roads.

Participants will receive training on safety reporting procedures and emergency response measures before beginning field activities.

While carrying out delivery work, riders will report potholes, flooding, fallen objects, damaged facilities and other hazards through Seoul’s Smart Complaint Reporting System and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s Safety Report platform.

If they encounter a medical emergency, riders will be expected to contact emergency services and provide basic first aid until help arrives.

The city said all reports must include objective information such as location data, photographs and the time of the incident to ensure rapid verification and response by relevant authorities.

The program was first introduced in 2023 and has recorded 1,898 safety-related reports and responses through 2025, helping authorities address road damage, facility defects and other threats to public safety.

At Monday’s launch event, participants received guidance on identifying and reporting hazards associated with the summer rainy season, including flooding-prone areas, potholes and locations with elevated accident risks during overnight and commuting hours.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.