A study of the legal framework for digital inclusion in South Korea

In the context of the rapidly advancing Fourth Industrial Revolution, there has been a significant surge in socioeconomic benefits and a notable shift in the environmental landscape as a result of digital transformation. However, not all individuals and communities are equitably reaping the benefits of digital advancements or engaging in digital activities equally. The challenges are evident in the form of increasing polarization, inequality, and disadvantage, largely resulting from digital poverty and the widening digital divide. As a result, the need for universal adoption of digital technologies and the implementation of inclusive digital policies has become increasingly critical. Addressing these issues requires the enactment of digital inclusion legislation, providing a legal foundation to ensure that all individuals and groups can fully exercise their basic rights in the digital society. This study aims to explore the connections with existing digital inclusion legal frameworks and propose actionable strategies and improvements for the proposed Digital Inclusion Act in South Korea. This study suggests the critical need to cultivate an inclusive digital society by emphasizing the enactment of practical digital inclusion legislation that advocates the adoption of a citizen-centered approach to digital inclusion, capacity building for digitally vulnerable populations, and private sector engagement.