Bending, not breaking: Digital resilience as a pathway to transformative renewal

As digital technologies become increasingly integral to crisis response and recovery, national-level digital resilience has emerged as a critical capability for governments navigating large-scale disruptions. This study develops and applies a four-stage framework—intelligent sensing, shock absorption, adaptation, and transformation—to South Korea's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. By analyzing how prior investments in ICT infrastructure, regulatory reforms following the 2015 MERS outbreak, and cross-sector collaboration enabled the rapid deployment of systems such as the Epidemiological Investigation Support System, the study demonstrates that resilience is not only about restoring prior conditions but also about leveraging shocks as catalysts for regenerative transformation. Conceptually, the paper clarifies digital resilience as a socio-technical capability bundle at the national level, while recognizing nested organizational and ecosystem dynamics. Empirically, it shows how shock-triggered digital routines can generate antifragile outcomes, extending prior resilience and dynamic capability theories. Practically, the study identifies feasible and transferable solutions—including modular data hubs, federated learning, and mobile-first sensing—that enhance preparedness for uncertain crises. Policy implications are drawn for both advanced and emerging economies, emphasizing competitiveness benchmarking, inclusive digital access, data sovereignty, and international cooperation.