After Broadband Infrastructure Saturation: The Impact of Public Investment on Rural Social Capital

Abstract

Having attained 98% coverage in rural areas in South Korea, the Information Network Village (INVIL) project began to focus not only on constructing broadband infrastructure but also on building online social networks. The current study examined the impact of public investment in information communication technology on online interaction and social capital in rural areas after broadband infrastructure was saturated. The findings indicate that public investment can play a key role in the sustainable development of rural areas by increasing community attachment and reducing migration intention.