What constitutes good care in the context of depopulating rural Korea? Perspectives of village care managers amid digital transitions.

Background and Objectives: Korea is undergoing one of the fastest demographic transitions among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, with rural communities experiencing the sharpest consequences of aging and depopulation. In these areas, older adults face multiple disadvantages, including social isolation, limited income and education, and restricted access to health and welfare services. In response, national policies have promoted smart care technologies-sensors, monitoring devices, and AI-based services-as part of community-based integrated care. Although these technologies are expected to reduce service gaps, less attention has been paid to how frontline providers understand what constitutes "good care" in this context. Research Design and Methods: Our study examined the perspectives of village care managers, who coordinate health, welfare, and smart care resources in rural communities. Sixteen managers involved in a pilot smart integrated care project in Jeongeup, Jeonbuk-do, were interviewed through semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Results: Our findings suggest that good care cannot be solely achieved through technological monitoring or efficiency. It still requires relational qualities-sincerity, respect, and social connection-combined with professional competence and coordination across fragmented services. Participants highlighted that smart technologies may support safety and access but cannot substitute for human interaction, local collaboration, and skilled guidance in bridging digital divides. Discussion and Implications: By foregrounding providers' perspectives, this study adds to ongoing debates about the meaning of good care in digitally integrated rural care settings. Smart technologies can support safety and access, but their value depends on how they are embedded in practices of empathy, respect, professional guidance, and community collaboration.