Government

Older South Koreans face barriers as kiosk use expands

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November 2, 2026

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Older adults in South Korea continue to struggle with self-service kiosks as the technology spreads across restaurants, hospitals and transportation services, according to a Seoul Economic Daily report. A government survey found adults 55 and older had a digital literacy level equivalent to 71.8% of the general population's, the lowest among the vulnerable groups surveyed.

Access to technology outpaced users' ability to operate it. Older adults scored 95.4% of the general population's level for digital access but just 56.2% for skills, falling to 29.4% among those 70 and older. About 54.2% of older adults reported at least occasional kiosk use, compared with 74.5% overall. Difficulty navigating machines and anxiety about holding up other customers were among the barriers identified.

South Korea has introduced accessibility requirements covering assistance options, voice guidance and accessible kiosk designs, with implementation phased by business size, the newspaper reported. Government training programs also teach digital skills, but the report highlighted calls to preserve staffed counters and in-person service while incorporating accessibility into kiosks from the start.