Where Does South Korea Stand in its Digital Transformation Journey?

In recent years, digital transformation has emerged as the most significant issue in the Korean economy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, non-face-to-face economic activities suddenly became critical to everyday life. Around the world, people began to adapt to digital technologies that enabled remote communication and the ability to carry out daily living tasks without having to physically interact with other people. And it was at this same time that governments turned to innovation through digital transformation to revitalize economies hit hard by the pandemic. The governments of most major economies, including Korea, have been focusing heavily on digital investment. Now, several years into the trend, it is essential to assess how far Korea has come in its digital transformation journey. This study opens with a cross-country comparison, examining the current state of digital transformation in Korea and its comparable countries. It also reviews how the digital transformation is unfolding across various domestic industries and proposes a strategy for enhancing the nation’s digital maturity and competitiveness.