In the contemporary age, e-governance as an approach to urban politics aims at strengthening the connectivity amongst various stakeholders. Avenues for discourse between governments and the public...Show moreIn the contemporary age, e-governance as an approach to urban politics aims at strengthening the connectivity amongst various stakeholders. Avenues for discourse between governments and the public are provided through digital platforms. This is done with the intent of establishing a citizen-centric environment. In South Korea, succeeding democratization in the late 1970s and 1980s, citizens as integral to public administration came to the forefront in contemporary urban life. Seoul and Incheon represent two major smart cities, for which digital technologies are the foundation. In South Korea, swift developments in e-governance have consequently resulted in a research gap. To challenge this, the study considers the primary digital government platforms of Seoul and Incheon. Through a content analysis, the effectiveness of the platforms in building social capital and citizen-centricity is deduced. Then, the outcome is interpreted through a revised ladder of citizen participation. The results signify various opportunities and flaws in its e-governance. In Seoul, connectivity as a means of boosting civic empowerment is addressed effectively. Still, citizens are limited in the co-creation process of daily urban policies. In Incheon, basic elements of open data and communication are addressed. Yet, consequences of citizen’s input remain largely unaddressed. South Korean policy makers may therefore take note of these repercussions to establish a more effective and efficient digital platform apparatus.Show less