South Korea teaches older people to use digital services — Asharq Al-Awsat
South Korea is conducting government training for older people to help them use smartphones, apps, digital kiosks and artificial intelligence tools. As Asharq Al-Awsat reports, citing AFP, the programs operate across the country, where people aged over 65 make up more than 20% of the population.
Difficulties with everyday services
During a class at a senior center in Suwon, south of Seoul, 79-year-old Hwang Seong-hee was able to place an online order. According to her, without smartphone apps or digital kiosks, older people find it difficult to access familiar services.
The digital divide is evident, in particular, in ticket sales and hailing taxis. Last year, several baseball clubs began reserving a small number of tickets for on-site sales after reports of elderly fans asking younger people to buy tickets through machines. According to a survey, nearly 90% of taxi drivers use ride-hailing apps, while more than 80% of South Korean residents aged over 60 still hail taxis on the street.
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Park, a 71-year-old former civil servant, said he spent more than 30 minutes trying to hail a taxi on a busy Seoul street. Cars drove past him, picking up younger passengers who had summoned them through smartphones.
Training since 2020
According to a government survey conducted last year, 60% of South Korean citizens over the age of 60 have difficulties using government and commercial services because of a lack of digital skills. Among people under 40, the figure is 6%.
Government technology training programs for older people began in 2020, when many services moved online during COVID-19 quarantine restrictions. In 2025, more than 65,000 classes were held for people aged 60 and over, with around 650,000 participants. During the lessons, participants learn to pay hospital bills using kiosk mock-ups, use phones and ask Gemini questions, including about the weather forecast.
