Gongju City Selected for "Digital Learning Center Operation Project," Secures 430 Million Won in National and Provincial Funding

Establishing Education Centers and Experience Zones for Digitally Marginalized Groups, Including Seniors and People with Disabilities
Aiming to Become South Chungcheong Province's Leading Digital Inclusive City

Gongju City in South Chungcheong Province has been selected for a government-sponsored project aimed at bridging the digital divide, moving forward with the goal of creating an "inclusive society where everyone enjoys the benefits of digital technology."

The city announced on October 21 that it had been finally selected for the "2026 Digital Learning Center Operation Project" organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT, securing a total project budget of 430 million won, including 390 million won in national and provincial funding.

This project aims to enhance the digital skills of information-vulnerable groups such as seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals. The city plans to designate the Community Welfare Center as the educational venue, operating a "Digital Education Center" and an "Experience Zone."

At the education center, practical programs will be offered, including ▲how to use smartphones and unmanned terminals (kiosks), ▲how to access online civil services and financial services, and ▲basic experiences with artificial intelligence (AI).

In the experience zone, participants will have the opportunity to handle various digital devices themselves, enabling them to apply the skills they have learned in their daily lives.

The city plans to complete the facility setup by June next year and begin full-scale educational programs in July. As a long-term project, more than 200 million won in annual operating expenses will be invested, and the cumulative amount of national and provincial funding is expected to exceed 1 billion won in the future.

Taking into account the rapid aging of the rural city, Gongju City actively emphasized the necessity of the project and expressed its willingness to partially fund it with municipal resources, which contributed to its favorable selection.

Mayor Choi Woncheol stated, "We will create an environment where the digital gap between generations is narrowed and everyone can enjoy the benefits of technology," adding, "We will do our best to establish Gongju as a leading digital inclusive city representing South Chungcheong Province."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.