Post-COVID, Digital Societies: Opportunities and Policy Challenges for Human Security in the United Kingdom and South Korea

The article investigates the role and challenges of digital technology adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic through a critical human security lens and comparative analysis between South Korea and the United Kingdom. The pandemic served as motivation for the adoption of digital technology among vulnerable groups, either forcing or encouraging the necessity and utilisation of these technologies. This contributes to enhancing human security, but the persistent exclusion of certain individuals indicates the need for additional attention and policies. The case of both countries highlights the disparities in technology use due to factors like digital literacy and information security concerns, emphasising that rapid technological adoption by governments does not guarantee an effective pandemic response. The study also examines the dual role of digital technologies in enhancing and compromising human security, illustrating the importance of a balanced approach to digitalisation that includes policy support for vulnerable groups and public endorsement of new technologies.