At 9 a.m. on Apr. 15, the phone rang at the “Silver Courier” office, a senior delivery service located in Yekwan-dong, central Seoul. Baek Gi-geun, the 76-year-old head of the operation, picked up a white slip labeled with the company’s name. The order was for traditional embroidery supplies, to be transported 33 kilometers from Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, to Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. “Two deliveries in one go. Got lucky today,” Baek said. At his words, five men in their 60s and 70s, seated on a couch across the room, quickly jumped up to volunteer. “I’ll take it!” one shouted. A handwritten sign on the office door read: “The secret to longevity—when you’re old, avoid being disliked. Don’t gossip or complain. Even if you know something, pretend you don’t. Just be gentle.”
These “silver couriers,” as they’re known, log 20,000 to 30,000 steps a day, delivering packages on foot and via public transportation. Their assignments range from documents and official seals to high-end apparel, handbags—and even cremation urns. On occasion, they’re tasked with escorting exotic pets or walking elementary school children home. “When we’re asked to carry funeral portraits or urns, the mood turns somber,” Baek said. “We always ask that those items be wrapped with extra care.” The subway is their main mode of transport. With free rides available to those 65 and older, their commuting costs are essentially zero. The standard fee is 12,000 won ($8) for deliveries completed within an hour, while jobs in Incheon, Gyeonggi-do, and other parts of the greater Seoul area range from 20,000 to 30,000 won. Long-distance jobs to South Chungcheong or Gangwon-do run between 30,000 and 50,000 won—roughly half the rate of a motorbike courier, who charges around 25,000 won for a 20-kilometer trip.
Silver Courier receives an average of 60 to 80 delivery requests per day. From Apr. 14 to Apr. 18, a team of Chosunilbo reporters shadowed six couriers, covering a combined distance of 580 kilometers by subway and foot. At 9:30 a.m. on Apr. 15, a courier surnamed Choi, 72, was assigned a round-trip job, meaning two separate deliveries could be completed without returning to the office. “I’ll be there by 11,” Choi told a customer over the phone before hurrying down the stairs at Euljiro 4-ga Station, toggling between two or three transit apps. Standing 161 centimeters tall and weighing 57 kilograms, his lean frame moved with remarkable speed. “You’ll miss the delivery window if you don’t plan your route precisely,” he said. “Riding in the far-right subway car is fastest.”
Choi spent 31 years working as a subway station employee and train operator for Seoul Metro before retiring 14 years ago. He began courier work a decade ago, not wanting to fall idle after retirement. He now earns between 600,000 and 800,000 won ($420–560) per month, with about 400,000 won left after expenses such as meals.
Back at the office, four couriers waited for their next assignment, sipping instant coffee or reading the newspaper. Among them was Kim, 75, from Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do, known by the nickname “Year-Round” for never missing a day of work. Another, Jung, 65, from Seoul’s Gangdong-gu, had previously worked as a vocal instructor before losing his job during the COVID-19 pandemic. He fell into depression but said the courier job helped him regain purpose.
“Delivery to Asan, South Chungcheong-do—bank document!” came the next call. Jo Sa-woong, 79, rose to take the job as the others called after him, “Good luck, Doctor!”—a nickname earned from his seven years of delivery experience. For the Seoul-to-Asan trip, the customer pays 35,000 won. Of that, the company takes 30 percent, leaving Jo with 24,500 won. A former chemical company employee of more than 40 years, Jo lost his job during the Asian financial crisis. “Delivering condolence wreaths is the hardest,” he said. “If the funeral’s in a rural area, I sometimes wait over an hour for a bus. And even then, some drivers refuse once they see the wreath.”
Recently, a public debate over raising the age threshold for free subway rides has sparked concern among the silver couriers. While their earnings are modest, the free fare system allows them to turn a profit on each job. If seniors are required to start paying, their margins could shrink significantly. They are also facing mounting pressure from increasing competition, as more companies enter the market offering similar senior courier services.
