News - Removing the digital divide in Korea

Removing the digital divide in Korea

October 2001

A recent communication from the National Computerization Agency of Korea bought news of legislation passed at the beginning of the year to address the digital divide in that country.

The objective of the Act is "to help ensure a universal, unlimited access to the telecommunications networks and use of the telecommunications services for low-income earners, rural residents, the disabled, the aged, women, etc., who have difficulties in accessing or using the telecommunications services for economic, regional, physical or social reasons. So that the nation can improve the quality of living for these people and thereby contribute to the balanced growth of the national economy."

Under the Act, the Korean Minister of the Information and Communication is changed with coordinating and combining the annual plans of various ministries into a single five-year plan to reduce the gap in the use of telecommunications services between social groups in Korea.

The Act includes provision for setting up accessibility guidelines for telecommunications services, subsidizing poor and disabled people wanting to buy PCs and other telecommunication equipment, and the development of access technologies for the disabled. There is also support for information providers servicing the farming and fishing industry, disabled people, the elderly and poor. There are even articles covering the establishment of public Internet access centres and learning opportunities for those who want to cross the divide.