Post offices closing amid widespread use of smartphones

DAEGU, April 22 (Yonhap) -- The number of post offices fell 4.5 percent last year from a decade ago, data showed Saturday, as many people use smartphones, text messages and emails to communicate.

The number of post offices came to 3,497 across the country last year, down 167 from 2006, according to the Korea Post.

The postal service said the amount of mail has also been on a steady decline. Last year, post offices across the country handled 3.3 billion pieces of general mail, compared with 4.4 billion in 2006.

The development came as a growing number of people prefer to use smartphones, text messages and emails instead of traditional mail.
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