Korea Local Information Research & Development Institute Publishes "2025 Regional Informatization White Paper"

Comprehensive Guide to Local Government Digital Policies and Best Practices

AI-Centric "Digital Policy Roadmap" Outlined

Top 10 ICT Issues and 17 Regional Case Studies Included

The Korea Local Information Research & Development Institute announced on March 5, 2026, that it has published the "2025 Regional Informatization White Paper," which outlines the current status and future strategies of South Korea's digital policy.

The "Regional Informatization White Paper" is a comprehensive resource summarizing regional informatization policies, best practices, and related statistics implemented by central ministries and local governments. Published annually since 2012, it serves as a reference to support the establishment of digital policies and informatization strategies by local governments.

This "2025 Regional Informatization White Paper" is notable for reflecting the digital policy direction of the new administration, which is centered on the goal of making South Korea a global AI powerhouse. In particular, the special feature on the "2025 Digital Policy Roadmap" systematically organizes the government’s digital strategy and implementation direction, and analyzes, from an expert’s perspective, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technology proliferation on regional administration and public services.

The main text of the white paper broadly covers the status and trends of regional informatization initiatives by each local government. Specifically, it details the general status of regional informatization, including local government organizational structure, personnel, projects, and budgets, as well as policy status such as laws and systems, and identifies the top 10 ICT issues that local governments should pay attention to.

Additionally, it includes the status of regional informatization efforts in central ministries—such as address and disaster informatization, health and welfare, education, culture, land and transportation, environment, and meteorology—along with outstanding cases from 17 metropolitan and provincial governments nationwide, serving as a reference for local policy formulation.

The appendix contains the 2026 central ministry open project implementation plans and a list of digital-related press releases from central ministries in 2025, enhancing practical utility so that local governments can proactively prepare the following year’s business plans and gain a comprehensive overview of central government policy trends.

The white paper is available for free download on the Korea Local Information Research & Development Institute’s website, and summaries in both Korean and English can also be accessed free of charge at major online bookstores such as Kyobo Bookstore and YES24.

Duksoo Park, President of the Korea Local Information Research & Development Institute, stated, "As AI technology increasingly permeates administration and daily life, it is now more important than ever for regions to establish clear standards and consistent direction. I hope that this white paper will serve as a practical guide to embedding the new government’s digital vision in the field and leading the digital transformation of local governments."

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