"Did You Feel Lost in Front of the Kiosk?"... Seoul's 'Digital Companion Partner' Offers Help
by Kim Bokyung
Published 24 Apr.2026 08:16(KST)
Deployment at Four Major Bus Terminals in Seoul
"It's Okay to Take Your Time" Campaign Launched Simultaneously
Expansion to Train Stations and Increased Staffing Under Review for August
"While helping seniors with ticket reservations on site, I kept seeing my own parents in them. My parents must have felt just as lost in front of these machines," he wrote.
Choi, a volunteer participating in Seoul City's 'Digital Companion Partner' pilot project, shared this reflection in a review of his volunteer work. Choi is assisting elderly individuals who have difficulty using self-service ticketing kiosks at bus terminals in Seoul.
The pilot project for Seoul City's Digital Companion Partner began on April 13, 2026. Each month, around 160 volunteers are involved, operating in two shifts from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. They are stationed near self-service ticketing kiosks at four locations: Express Bus Terminal, Central City, East Seoul Terminal, and Nambu Terminal.
If volunteers notice users hesitating in front of the kiosks or struggling at the payment stage, they proactively approach and provide one-on-one assistance, guiding them from reservation to ticket issuance.
The participating personnel consist of 'Seoul Youth Partners,' made up of local university students, and citizen volunteers recruited through the volunteer center.
Seoul City is also running a cultural campaign alongside the project, aiming not only to help with device usage but also to improve the overall environment for users. On site, they are conducting the "It's Okay to Take Your Time" campaign, focusing on fostering a culture where people waiting in line are considerate of those who take longer with the kiosks.
After a four-month pilot operation from April to July, Seoul City is considering expanding the program to major train stations such as Seoul Station and Yongsan Station starting in August. The number of participants is also expected to increase to about 360 per month, and there are discussions about extending operating hours to weekends or evenings depending on demand.
Kang Okhyun, Director of Seoul City's Digital City Bureau, said, "Through the operation of the 'Digital Companion Partner' program, which is driven by voluntary citizen participation, we hope to realize a Seoul without digital barriers and to naturally spread a culture of consideration for the vulnerable."
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