South Korea aims to save seniors feeling lost in digital age

Home to some of the world’s leading technology companies, South Korea also has one of the starkest digital divides; an age gap in tech literacy that risks leaving some senior citizens stranded. In an effort to tackle this, the government organises training for older Koreans, with lessons on online shopping, using AI and interacting with everyday technology. “There were times when I felt so baffled,” says 70-year-old Yoon Bok-soon, one of those taking part in a session at a senior community centre south of Seoul. While rapidly embracing modern technology, South Korea is also a fast-ageing society, with more than 20 percent of its 52 million people aged over 65.