It is rushing to reinvent itself as an express, logistics and financial group in time for a stockmarket flotation in October 2000.

ECONOMIST: Post offices

Australian Oil and Gas pumps oil in Libya, while logistics firm Korea Express is taking over a large-scale water project in the North African country.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

In 2008 it used its airline and Daewoo to become the biggest shareholder in South Korea's biggest logistics company, Korea Express.

ECONOMIST: Restructuring South Korea's chaebol

In Germany, where Deutsche Bahn is roaring ahead with its express trains and its global freight and logistics business, many managers came from Lufthansa, bringing airline techniques.

ECONOMIST: Face value