Governing the Digital Divide: Collaborative Pathways for Urban-Rural Integration in South Korea

Dabean Kim

doi:10.54097/yqx4fg70

Authors

Dabean Kim

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/yqx4fg70

Keywords:

Collaborative Governance, Digital Divide, Urban-rural Integration, Public Service Digitalization, Digital Inclusion, South Korea

Abstract

This study examines the structural dilemmas and optimization pathways for digitally integrating urban-rural public services through a collaborative governance lens, using South Korea as a critical case. Despite possessing world-class digital infrastructure, Korea's digital-driven integration process remains mired in deep-seated collaborative failure across four dimensions: design, provision, governance, and institutional support. Drawing on New Public Service and Collaborative Governance theories, this research constructs a 4C analytical framework to systematically diagnose these failures and their underlying causes. The findings reveal a fundamental paradox: technological advancement does not automatically translate into governance effectiveness or social inclusion. The success of digital integration fundamentally depends on the congruent evolution of institutions, mechanisms, and social capital. Based on this diagnosis, the study proposes an integrated optimization pathway encompassing mandatory digital inclusion mechanisms, multi-actor provision ecosystems, hybrid governance systems, and robust institutional foundations. These interconnected strategies offer a coherent blueprint for transitioning from techno-centric governance toward a genuinely inclusive, responsive, and sustainable digital future.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Ansell, C., & Gash, A. (2008). Collaborative governance in theory and practice. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 18(4), 543-571.

[2] Choi, S., & Park, J. (2022). Digital inclusion and social participation of the elderly in Korea: Policy evaluation and future tasks. Journal of Korean Public Administration, 60(2), 45-68.

[3] OECD. (2022). Digital government review of Korea: Delivering human centred and proactive public services. OECD Publishing.

[4] Ministry of Science and Technology, Korea Institute for Advanced Study. (Each year). Digital Divide Survey.

[5] Kim Jun-hyung. (2023). An exploratory study on the impact of information sharing on the operation of collaborative governance mechanism. Korean Review of Organizational Studies, 20(3), 77-114.

[6] Emerson, K., Nabatchi, T., & Balogh, S. (2012). An integrative framework for collaborative governance. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 22(1), 1-29.

[7] Go Hye-young. (2020). Exploratory study on the development of analytical indicators for cooperative governance in South Korea. NGO Research, 15(1), 43-77.

[8] Luo Zhigang. (2018). The Logical Approach to Urban-Rural Social Collaborative Governance in China. Jianghan Forum, (2), 74-79.

[9] Lee, S. (2021). Bridging the digital divide in rural Korea. Journal of Rural Studies, 83, 45-53.

[10] Wu Kechang, Yan Xinyao. (2020). Digital Governance Driven and Transformation of Public Service Supply Model. E-Government, (1), 76-83.

[11] Gong Tongwei. (2019). Research on the Construction of Urban-Rural Integrated Fiscal Guarantee System. Macro-Economic Research, (9), 89-97.

[12] Wu Changjian. (2017). Institutional Innovation of Urban-Rural Public Service Supply Mechanism. Politics and Law, (6), 101-109.

[13] Cao Jinghui. (2011). Institutional Obstacles and Realization Path of Basic Public Service Equality. Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 25(1), 48-52.

[14] Wu Yemiao. (2013). Demand Aversion, Supply Failure and the Dilemma of Urban-Rural Public Service Integration. Humanities Journal, (2), 98-107.

[15] Wu Ruxin. (2017). Urbanization, Basic Public Service Supply and Residents' Subjective Happiness. Population and Development, 23(3), 37-48.

[16] Lu Daoping. (2013). Urban-Rural Public Service Equality in China: Problems and Countermeasures. Jianghan Forum, (12), 26-30.

[17] Yi Chengzhi. (2016). Reconsideration of Urban Nature and Urban-Governance. Exploration and Debate, (10), 91-94.

[18] Xie Xingquan. (2016). Fiscal Decentralization, Urban-Rural Integration and Public Service Supply. Soft Science, 30(10), 31-35.

[19] Song Yuanwu, Xu Shuangmin. (2016). Practice and Experience of Rural Public Cultural Service Supply in Foreign Countries and Its Reference for China. Learning and Practice, (11), 115-122.

[20] Zhou Yu. (2020). Economic Mechanism and Transformation Direction of Public Service Innovation Driven by Digital Technology. Contemporary Economic Management, 42(2), 78-83.

[21] Xu Xiaodan, Hui Ning, Han Xianfeng. (2023). Digital Economy Empowering the Equalization of Basic Public Services. Economic Issues Exploration, (8), 132-146.

[22] Liu Hongbo, Yao Mengjia. (2023). Digital Transformation of Public Services: Driving Factors and Path Selection. Leadership Science, (4), 71-76.

[23] Zhang Peng, Gao Xiaoping. (2022). Digital Technology Driving High-Quality Development of Public Services. Theory and Reform, (5), 82-93.

[24] Yu Jingwen, Chen Xiaoguang, Gong Liutang. (2018). How has fiscal pressure affected the provision of public services by county-level governments? Financial Research (1), 18-35.

[25] Du Chunlin, Zhang Xinwen. (2015). Rural Public Service Supply: From "Fragmentation" to "Integration". Agricultural Economic Issues, 36(7), 9-19.

[26] Li Liwen. (2019). Fragmentation of Public Service Supply in the Transformation of Urban Grassroots Social Management System. Administrative Forum, 26(4), 108-115.

[27] Sung, W. J. (2019). Government innovation and digitally-based public services. Korean Society for Quality Management Conference Proceedings, 70.

[28] Youm, J., Kim, J. H., Lee, S., & Kim, M. (2023). Governance innovation measures for sustainable operation of smart city. Korean Governance Review, 30(2), 1-30.

[29] Kim, M., & Byun, S. (2018). Smart public services and elderly information accessibility. Journal of Digital Convergence, 16(5), 43-53.

[30] Zheng Qiao. (2008). Governance System Innovation in the Construction of Service-oriented Government. National Business Review, (14), 134-135.

[31] Kim, S. J., & Cho, S. T. (2014). A study on role re-establish of state administration. Korean Public Administration History Review, (35), 77-96.

[32] Tang Juan, Cao Fuguo. (2004). Analysis of the Diversified Models of Public Service Supply. Journal of Huazhong Normal University, (2), 14-20.

[33] Li Rui. (2019). On the Diversified Collaborative Cooperation among Government, Market and Society in Public Service Supply. Journal of Economy and Law, (4), 124-132.

[34] Yoo, S., & Jeon, S. (2016). Implementation factors and collaborative governance of disaster management policy. Korean Governance Review, 23(3), 87-115.

[35] Lee, S. Y. (2013). Community business policy process using a collaborative governance approach. Korean Governance Review, 20(2), 149-169.

[36] Ahn, B., Hwang, E., & Kwon, O. (2022). Efficiency of public service delivery. The Korea Association for Policy Studies, 31(2), 351-376.

[37] Fan Bonai, Jin Jie. (2016). The Mechanism of the Impact of Public Service Supply on Public Service Perceived Performance. Management World, (10), 50-61.