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Based on its experience and knowledge of ICT development,
the Korean Government has been conducting cooperation
programmes to promote informatization and ICT through the
Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), National
Internet Development Agency of Korea (NIDA), Korea Agency for
Digital Opportunity and Promotion (KADO) and many other
institutes.
Narrowing the digital divide within Korea
It is important to recognize that the digital divide exists not only
between countries, but also within a single country. Therefore,
many national agencies under the supervision of the Ministry of
Information and Communication are providing continuous
support to narrow the digital divide by working on various
projects for those deprived of informatization.
In order to form an Internet-accessible environment for those
who cannot afford expensive devices and software, people
donated their used PCs to the Government, public organiza-
tions or private enterprises. These PCs were distributed free of
charge to the underserved population. Furthermore, in an effort
to ensure that everyone shares the benefits of the Internet, there
have been free Internet education programmes for those alien-
ated from informatization such as provincial residents, elderly
and disabled people, foreign labourers staying in Korea,
refugees from North Korea, etc. These programmes provide
various courses from basic computer skills to high quality
information and communication training. Thanks to these
courses, people who were lagging behind in the benefits of ICT
are now successfully adapting themselves to the information
society by improving their quality of life and prospects for
employment.
Every year, the month of June is designated as the ‘month of
digital opportunity.’ A variety of seminars, conferences and
events are held, such as the Personal Homepage Contest, the
Silver Net campaign, and the IT Youth Dream Camp, to promote
Internet use and raise social awareness of informatization at a
domestic level.
Narrowing the digital divide around the world
The Korean Government has been strengthening cooperation
within the ICT sector, where Korea has a comparative advantage
and competitiveness. Volunteers composed of professors, univer-
sity students and related experts are providing ICT training
courses and other ICT volunteering activities to local communi-
ties around the world, in order to share IT knowledge and skills.
Numerous ICT projects are underway in Indonesia,
Mongolia, El Salvador, Bangladesh, the Philippines and
Internet Governance Symposium held as one of the ‘month’s of digital
opportunity’ events
International seminar on Internet Resources Management in Sri Lanka
Free ICT education programme to foreign workers staying in Korea