Since 2010, South Korea has consistently ranked among the top three in the UN E-Government Development Index. What is the “secret sauce” behind this success? One could say that it results from more than 30 years of dedicated policies and governance to enhance the design and execution of digital services within the public sector. And that would be correct. However, some specific features of Korea’s digital transformation are worth highlighting.
Together with the Government of Korea, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) organized a visit to the country for six high-level officials from Latin America to participate in the United Nations Public Service Forum in Incheon, South Korea. These public officials were also part of a training program with key agencies responsible for South Korea’s digital transformation, such as the Korean Internet and Security Agency, the National Information Resources Center, the Presidential Archives, the Transportation Operation Public Information System, the National Information Society Agency (NIA) and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS).
Here are 4 key takeaways on South Korea’s digital transformation of public sector from the visit to the United Nations Public Service Forum:
1. Investment in Infrastructure for Digital Transformation
South Korea’s advancements in digital transformation have only been possible with substantial investment in improving the infrastructure supporting this transformation. The key point is that a government cloud (G-cloud) was created in 2012 and has been gradually strengthened since then. According to our discussions with government officials, the G-Cloud is crucial for Korea’s current digital government efforts and plays a key role in shaping future advancements in the public sector’s digital transformation.
This initiative has been complemented by another key national project: the e-government framework. The South Korean government has actively integrated digital technology through a comprehensive software platform designed for the efficient and coherent construction and operation of e-government systems. It was developed in 2008 to standardize and ensure the interoperability of the digital government system in Korea. According to a national survey on the use of e-government services, 90.6% of Koreans use the digital services offered in the platform, with 93.8% expressing a high level of satisfaction.
2. The Efficiency and Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Notably, AI solutions play a crucial role in various purposes, such as enhancing traffic management in large cities and monitoring or identifying potential cases of child abuse online. As the application of AI gains increasing attention, this knowledge is of the highest value for countries.
During the UN Public Service Forum, it was clearly stated that ethics and transparency in algorithmic decisions will be central issues in the coming years for the safe development of AI. In this sense, adhering to clear standards for developing technologies is critical, especially those involving algorithm-based decisions. Under those standards, South Korea is implementing voice data analysis for scientific research, such as identifying voice phishing scammers, predicting demand for extended-hour primary schools, and selecting areas for elderly protection zones through big data traffic analysis, among other initiatives to improve digital public services.
3. Strengthen Cybersecurity by Investing in Technology and Skilled Professionals
The National Information Resources Service (NIRS) safeguards 45,000 public sector systems, including servers and data centers, to support 1460 digital government services across 45 government agencies. This has been achieved by allocating four dedicated support centers and over 1000 highly skilled employees.
Protecting cyberspace extends to citizens and businesses. The Korean Internet and Security Agency (KISA) dedicates over 700 public officials operating in 10 regional centers nationwide to this task. These figures make us reflect on the importance of cybersecurity and consider that a critical highlight of implementing digital solutions should involve sound cybersecurity elements.
Nine countries in Latin America and the Caribbean still lack a national cybersecurity strategy, and 13 do not have an infrastructure protection plan in place. South Korea´s cybersecurity policy, including its institutions, governance, regulations, and infrastructure, can be a useful reference for countries across the region.
4. Continued learning and adaptation.
The South Korean case makes clear that evolving in the digital transformation journey requires adaptation, sharing best practices proactively, and adopting a comprehensive approach that goes beyond investments in infrastructure. South Korea’s commitment to innovation is a testament to the necessity of staying abreast of technological advancements and adapting strategies and policies in the long term. An example of how proactive South Korea is in sharing information can be found in this entire catalog of digital solutions implemented within the public sector.
Based on the four points outlined regarding South Korea’s experience, it is evident that achieving significant progress and impact in digital transformation requires a well-rounded strategy. This comprehensive approach, captured in IDB’s Government Digital Transformation Guide, includes institutionality, governance, human talent, digital infrastructure, and special attention to cybersecurity matters.
You can watch the opening remarks of the 2024 UN Public Service Forum here:
Leave a Reply