Seoul Government Opens City’s Metaverse Project To Public

With the stroke of a virtual pen, the Seoul government has unleashed a new era of innovation and possibility. In 2023, they unveiled “Metaverse Seoul,” a digital realm where citizens can access the city’s services in a fully immersive, virtual environment.

This ambitious expansion into the metaverse will allow residents of the South Korean capital to transcend physical boundaries and experience the city like never before.

On the 16th of January, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon made a grand announcement, revealing the launch of the first phase of Metaverse Seoul, a virtual world that had undergone rigorous beta testing. With Metaverse Seoul, citizens of Seoul can now embark on a journey through the city’s most iconic attractions.

They can access official documents, lodge several complaints, and receive assistance filing municipal taxes, all within this innovative virtual realm.

The Metaverse Seoul
In the Metaverse Seoul, users can immerse themselves in a replica of the iconic Seoul Plaza and take a virtual tour of the Mayor’s office. Additionally, ten of the city’s most popular tourist destinations have been meticulously re-created for exploration.

These include the grand Gyeongbokgung Palace, the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village, the futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the idyllic Seoul Forest Park, the picturesque Han River, and the towering Lotte Tower.

JUST IN: 🇰🇷 Seoul government launches city's first public #metaverse.

— Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) January 16, 2023

As reported by South Korean media giant Chosun Biz, the city of Seoul has invested a substantial sum of $1.6 million in the initial launch of its ambitious metaverse project.

With a significant portion of its population, over 17%, being senior citizens, Mayor Oh plans to focus the Metaverse Seoul’s subsequent phase on creating an accessible experience for them. This will enable senior citizens to receive services without the need to commute to city offices.

Boasting the world’s quickest internet speeds for its 52 million residents, South Korea has taken a pioneering role in the metaverse and blockchain realm as it continues to evolve.

Conclusion
The global interest in the metaverse initially skyrocketed after Facebook’s rebranding to Meta in October 2021, with many firms unveiling plans to establish virtual offices.

However, the crypto market downturn and the downfall of prominent platforms such as FTX, Voyager Digital, and Celsius Network hampered adoption in 2022.

In this new year, South Korea takes the bold step and immerses itself in the metaverse. As such, Seoul is determined to leave no stone unturned to ensure a smooth rollout of initial services. The country also aims to cement its status as the premier city in the world to launch a public metaverse platform.