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Islands of Korea, Islands of the World Type 2: Small Islands Island Population Island Area KIDI Research
Characteristics of Logistics Conditions on Islands
Improving living conditions by addressing vacant homes and unused facilities
Small islands show the fastest rates of population decline. This leads to an increasing number of vacant houses and idle
facilities. Due to the costs associated with regulation, demolition, and repair—often higher than on the mainland—these
issues are left unresolved, and tailored support policies are lacking.
Additionally, islands are excluded from national surveys on vacant and idle buildings, placing them in a policy blind
spot. Without proper support, privately-owned structures are often misused or left to decay, creating serious safety and crime
concerns. To address this, plans to assess and repair these structures should consider island-specific challenges, and
include dedicated safety inspections. Max Min Largest Smallest
243,039 1 383,37㎢ 0.001㎢
˙ Among 464 inhabited islands, 55 have over 1,000 residents, ˙ Differences in inland transport distances within islands
Type 3: Hub Islands while 61 islands have fewer than 10 residents (as of Dec. 31, impact delivery costs.
Revitalizing local economies through remote work and tourism initiatives 2021, based on data from the Ministry of the Interior and ˙ Profitability varies by population density due to changes in
Safety). delivery volume and travel distance.
➀ Hub islands are connected to the mainland by bridges and serve as transit points to smaller islands via ferries. They
are the most accessible among island types.
Distance from Mainland Transport System
➁ With their well-developed lodging infrastructure and ease of access, hub islands can generate significant economic
ripple effects when linked with neighboring islands that offer strong tourism content.

Furthest Nearest Mainland-integrated islands General islands
265km 0.07km ˙ Even among mainland-connected islands, delivery costs vary
due to differing land transport distances.
˙ Daily parcel volume is limited by travel distance to the island
(measured as straight-line distance, not actual travel distance), ˙ General islands face complex logistics involving overland,
02 affecting profitability. maritime, and intra-island delivery, often making consistent
service difficult.
Vol.

In 2022, KIDI conducted a study to address this gap, surveying all 464 inhabited islands in South Korea. The study
classified island parcel delivery types, assessed service satisfaction, analyzed quality determinants, and proposed
improvement strategies. Islands were categorized into eight types of parcel delivery service based on their
accessibility and delivery conditions—from mainland-integrated islands with doorstep delivery (Types A-1 and A-2),
to general islands with varying levels of service (Types B-1 to B-4), and non-doorstep delivery islands where only
Yeongjong-Yongyu Island, Incheon Metropolitan City Amtaedo, Sinan County (Small Island)
(Hub Island) partial or no delivery is possible (Types C and D).

The study revealed a growing number of islands where even entry-point delivery (not to the recipient’s doorstep)
2. A Study on Parcel Delivery Services in Island Regions
has become unavailable. A face-to-face survey of 332 residents across ten representative islands showed that
Shin Mi-young, Head of Research Planning Team(KIDI)
most incoming parcels are basic necessities. For islands with limited logistical infrastructure, delays in delivery
Due to their separation from the mainland by sea, island communities experience complex logistical significantly disrupt daily life. Outgoing parcels often include fresh agricultural and seafood products, meaning
challenges that involve land, sea, and on-island transportation. With limited infrastructure, residents rely slow service directly impacts product value and islanders’ livelihoods.
heavily on delivery services for daily necessities, and the shipment of locally produced goods plays a key role
in their income. These unique conditions highlight the need to improve parcel service quality, yet current Compared to mainland services, satisfaction with parcel
data on delivery usage in island areas remains insufficient. delivery on islands was notably lower. According to a 2019
survey by the Korea Information Society Development
“When the ferry doesn’t operate due to fog or rough seas, I have to take the packages back home and bring Institute:
them again the next day. On top of that, I have to carry both yesterday’s and today’s load—sometimes it’s too Cost-efficiency: Island 71.6 vs. Mainland 85.8 Year 2018 Year 2022
much for one person. It’s especially exhausting when I have to deliver heavy items like rice or bottled water.” ˙ 55 Islands 67 Islands
˙ Speed: Island 72.7 vs. Mainland 92.2
— Delivery agent in Deokwudo Island, Wando County (June 23, 2022) Convenience: Island 78.9 vs. Mainland 93.0
˙
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