Seoul municipal government (SMG) aims to be the first with a comprehensive scheme for the metaverse. The SMG will create the Metaverse Seoul platform in three stages from next year and apply it across all city tasks from economic policies to civil complaints. The platform will open up virtual places to handle civil complaints, provide supports to companies and reanimate popular tourist attractions or destroyed historical resources.
Next year sees the first stage of ‘Introduction’, followed by ‘Expansion’ (2023 to 2024) and finally, ‘Settlement’ (2025 to 2026). Seoul plans to establish the platform and introduce seven services in the economy, education, and tourism sectors at the first stage in 2022. By investing KRW 3.9 billion ($3.3m), the city aims to complete creating the platform and showcase it to the public by the end of the same year.
A new paradigm for post-COVID
According to a press release, Metaverse Seoul will offer public services overcoming time, space and language limitations. At the same time, the city will enhance its public officials’ performance by expanding the use of the platform across all sectors of the city administration.
“Metaverse is evolving into different forms based on technological levels and user demand. In particular, it is gaining traction as a new paradigm for post-COVID-19,” said Park Jong-Soo, Director General of Smart City Policy Bureau. He said, “The SMG will pioneer a new continent called the Metaverse Seoul where public demand and private technologies are combined. For all age groups to enjoy the benefits, we will work on the Metaverse Seoul and make Seoul a smart, inclusive city.”
See our previous feature for 10 Reasons Why South Korea IS The Metaverse.
Steve is an award-winning editor and copywriter with more than 20 years’ experience specialising in consumer technology and video games. With a career spanning from the first PlayStation to the latest in VR, he's proud to be a lifelong gamer.
