[Edaily Reporter Kang Min-gu] #KakaoPay has been recognized for its contributions to bridging the digital divide among seniors and promoting an inclusive financial culture.

KakaoPay received the Minister of Science and ICT Commendation, a government award for meritorious service in information culture, at the “39th Information Culture Month Commemoration Ceremony” held on the 17th at the Nuri Dream Square International Conference Room in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

The Ministry of Science and ICT designates June as “Information Culture Month” each year to promote a healthy information culture and enhance public understanding of the intelligent information society, selecting and honoring individuals who have contributed to related developments. KakaoPay was highly commended for its achievements in improving digital financial accessibility and the user experience for the elderly through its “Sagak Sagak Face School” program.

The “Sagak Sagak Face School” senior classes are a financial education initiative for mutual growth that KakaoPay has been operating since 2023 in partnership with Kakao Impact and the Senior Financial Education Council to support older adults who struggle with digital finance. Currently, classes are being held at 50 welfare centers nationwide, including in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Daegu, Busan, Gwangju, Jeonju, Daejeon, Chuncheon, and Jeju.

The program features “PayTeachers”—senior financial education instructors in their 50s and 60s trained directly by KakaoPay—who visit the sites to teach. It offers tailored curricula directly relevant to daily life, ranging from how to use digital finance apps to credit management and financial fraud prevention. By establishing a mutual growth model where “seniors help seniors,” the program has lowered psychological barriers for participants and enhanced learning outcomes.

A KakaoPay spokesperson stated, “Our sincere and sustained efforts to ensure that seniors are not left behind in the rapidly changing digital financial environment have been recognized,” adding, “We will continue to expand inclusive financial education so that every citizen of South Korea can safely and conveniently enjoy the benefits of digital finance.”