Is South Korea switching from Windows to Linux?
South Korea has explored the move for several years. Its Ministry of the Interior and Safety and Ministry of Defence have used Gooroom, a Debian-based cloud OS, and the government has discussed shifting Internet-connected PCs to open-source systems while keeping Windows on internal networks. Windows remains dominant in practice.
- Announced
- Pilot
- Rolling out
- Widely deployed
Scope: Government desktops, mainly Internet-connected PCs. Updated Oct 6, 2026.
What operating system does South Korean government use?
- Gooroom
Debian-based government OS used in pilots.
- HamoniKR
Korean Linux desktop distribution.
South Korea’s Linux timeline
- 2020
Reports say the government plans to move Internet-connected computers to open-source operating systems as Windows 7 support ends.
- Since 2020
Gooroom is used in pilots by ministries including Interior and Safety and Defence.
What is still unclear
This is a general picture, not a measurement.
- Most coverage dates from 2020 and later updates are limited, so no current adoption figure is claimed here.
- We could not confirm a recent official rollout number; treat this as pilots and plans.
Sources
South Korea: common questions
Is South Korea switching to Linux?
It has piloted Linux for government PCs, mainly Gooroom (Debian-based), and discussed moving Internet-connected computers to open-source systems. We have no confirmed national rollout figure.
What is Gooroom?
Gooroom is a Debian-based Linux operating system developed for South Korean government and public use.
Other countries
Want to try it yourself? Read how to switch from Windows to Linux.