Phase I of Seoul's Virtual City Unveiled

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has launched the first phase of its Metaverse Seoul project, allowing residents to access city services in a virtual environment, according to a report from Cointelegraph. 

❗ Why it Matters

The launch of this virtual city matters because it represents a new era of providing city services that can be accessible for everyone regardless of their physical abilities or location.

🧠 Need to Know

• The city government has spent $1.6 million on the first phase of the project.
• The second phase of the project will involve making the virtual environment more accessible to senior citizens who may have trouble commuting to city offices in person.
• More than 17% of South Korea's population is over 65 years old, as of 2022.
• When the initiative was originally announced in late 2021, it was estimated that work on Metaverse Seoul could be fully completed by 2026.