A governmental survey in 2023 found that the internet usage rate among South Koreans aged 3 years and older was at around 94 percent. Internet usage is defined as people who have used the internet within the previous month.
A connected society
Around 18.6 percent of surveyed internet users were using the internet for more than 35 hours per week. The survey also found that close to 92 percent of children aged between 3 and 9 years old were using the internet. The high status of the internet is hardly surprising in a society that has a reputation for being tech-savvy.
High availability, fast speeds
According to the government, South Korea had around 47.75 million internet users in 2023. The high number of internet users is a result of governmental regulations that caused a fast extension of the internet in the country. Another reason for the fast extension is that it was relatively easy to make the internet available for many citizens due to the high population density, especially in urban areas. Today, South Korea is known for having one of the fastest internet speeds around the globe, especially when it comes to mobile internet.
Internet usage rate in South Korea from 2000 to 2023
Since 2004, wireless Internet through mobile communication network has been included in the scope of Internet. Also the definition of Internet users has been changed from 'those who use the Internet at least once a month on average' to 'those who have used the Internet at least once in the last 1 month'. Since 2006, the sample eligibility has been expanded to the population aged 3 and over (2000-2001 : population aged 7 and over, 2002-2005 : population aged 6 and over)
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NIA. (May 16, 2024). Internet usage rate in South Korea from 2000 to 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved January 23, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/226712/internet-penetration-in-south-korea-since-2000/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
NIA. "Internet usage rate in South Korea from 2000 to 2023." Chart. May 16, 2024. Statista. Accessed January 23, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/226712/internet-penetration-in-south-korea-since-2000/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
NIA. (2024). Internet usage rate in South Korea from 2000 to 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: January 23, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/226712/internet-penetration-in-south-korea-since-2000/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
NIA. "Internet Usage Rate in South Korea from 2000 to 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 16 May 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/226712/internet-penetration-in-south-korea-since-2000/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
NIA, Internet usage rate in South Korea from 2000 to 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/226712/internet-penetration-in-south-korea-since-2000/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed (last visited January 23, 2025)
Internet usage rate in South Korea from 2000 to 2023 [Graph], NIA, May 16, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/226712/internet-penetration-in-south-korea-since-2000/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed