South Korea Launches Metaverse Seoul for Tourism and Public Services
The public metaverse platform is now live on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store for everyone traveling into Seoul.
Meet Metaverse Seoul - the digital twin of South Korea's capital city
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has launched Metaverse Seoul, a public metaverse platform for tourism and administrative services.
According to Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, this project is currently in the first phase of development after going through beta testing in 2022. The online virtual world will be a "place of communication" for all citizens, where users can play games, chat, hold meetings, file public documents, and visit Seoul's famous attractions. The initial stage will also see the platform acting as a support center for struggling businesses and offering services like proof of citizenship issuance.
Metaverse Seoul is currently available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store for everyone traveling into Seoul. Conversations on the platform are translated into English for foreign users.
"Metaverse Seoul will be an important communication tool for citizens in the new normal," said Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon at a press briefing on Monday. "It is an inclusive administrative service that everyone can take advantage of without any time and space obstacles."
It's worth noting that the city government has spent about 2 billion won, or $1.6 million, for the first phase of the metaverse project. According to Oh, the second phase (set to begin in 2024) will be focused on real estate counseling services, as well as making Metaverse Seoul more accessible to senior citizens. The final phase will be launched in 2026, with all-encompassing administrative services.
As of writing, Seoul is the first major city to launch a metaverse platform for public services. The city plans to roll out more government, business, tourism, and culture offerings over the next five years.
Since announcing the "Digital New Deal," South Korea has been working on the right regulations and framework to promote the growth of metaverse industries within the country. The official launch of Metaverse Seoul is expected to help cement the nation's lead in the metaverse race.
