The South Korean government’s decision to cut its digital budget by 52% compared to the previous year has raised concerns about the widening digital divide and its impact on the elderly population. 

This budget reduction poses severe risks, such as increased digital polarization, lower accessibility to essential services and vulnerability to scams and malicious applications for the aging population, particularly those living in rural areas.

According to Statistics Korea, the population aged 65 or older in South Korea will exceed 10 million this year. The budget cut significantly impactsthe operation of digital learning centers, which provide digital education