The COVID-19 pandemic sharpened our awareness of digital divides. Information related to COVID-19 was crucial for maintaining daily lives during the pandemic. South Korea is a country with a unique technological context of nearly ubiquitous Internet and digital device access. However, marginalized groups with limited digital skills and uses also exist in South Korea. Farmers and fishers are one of these groups, but they have not received the same level of attention from researchers as other marginalized subgroups. This thesis aims to overview and examine indicators of the digital usage divide regarding COVID-19-related information, specifically on stimulus check requesting services and information services among South Korean farmers and fishers. It is an explanatory study to develop a first level of understanding of the digital usage divide in a highly connected society. The study uses data from the 2021 Digital Divide Report released by the Korean National Information Society Agency (NIA). Resources and appropriation theory was used as a theoretical framework as it considers a wide range of factors influencing digital divides. Given the explanatory nature of the study, empirical work used multivariate regression analyses to discern patterns in the data. The work examined the associations between sociodemographic factors, such as income level and education level, attitude toward digital technology, and digital skills and the usage of COVID-19-related services. Notably, there was no association between digital material access and the use of COVID-19-related services. This study contributes the understanding digital inequalities in the unique environment of a nation that has achieved high digital connectivity. It also provides initial insights that can help in the design of more effective policies to reduce digital divides among South Korean farmers and fishers.
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