Expansion of National Park Virtual Reality Service: "Discovering Post-COVID Public Services"

Key Scenes of Virtual Reality Video (Source: Korea National Park Service)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Korea National Park Service will expand its operation of the 'National Park Virtual Reality (VR) Service,' which is designed for transportation-vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities and the elderly, by adding 10 new videos starting from the 27th.

The National Park Virtual Reality Service is a project promoted as part of the government's innovation task, 'Innovation of Public Services Based on Digital Technology.' It provides vivid indirect experiences using 360-degree stereoscopic videos of major attractions in national parks, allowing people to experience the parks without physically visiting them.

Since producing a pilot VR video of Seoraksan National Park in 2015, the service has expanded to include Jirisan, Hallyeohaesang, Byeonsanbando, and Sobaeksan in 2016; Gyeongju, Naejangsan, Deogyusan, and Odaesan in 2017; Bukhansan, Gyeryongsan, and Mudeungsan in 2019; and this year, it added Songnisan, Gayasan, and Juwangsan, providing a total of 54 VR videos across 15 parks.

The newly released videos include a total of 10 pieces: 9 'virtual exploration videos' that allow indirect experience of major national park attractions, and 1 'safety education video' that teaches proper responses to mountain safety accidents.

The 9 'virtual exploration videos' cover ▲ Munjangdae, Sejo-gil, and Hwayang-gugok in Songnisan National Park; ▲ Manmulsang, Sorigil 1 (Mureunggyo-Hongryudong section), and Sorigil 2 (Nongsanjeong-Cheopseokdae section) in Gayasan National Park; and ▲ Juwang Valley, Jusanji, and the waterfall trail (Yongchu Waterfall-Jeolgu Waterfall-Yongyeon Waterfall) in Juwangsan National Park.

These videos include general footage that allows viewers to look around as if walking the trails, as well as footage of restricted areas, drone flights over the national parks, and climbing waterfalls and valleys.

The 'safety education video' allows indirect experience of three major fatal accidents?sudden cardiac arrest, falls, and drowning?and provides lessons from experts on proper prevention and response methods.

The National Park Virtual Reality Service can be experienced on the National Park website and on YouTube's 'National Park TV.' Connecting a smartphone to a virtual reality headset (HMD) enables a more immersive experience.

Kwon Wook-young, head of public relations at the Korea National Park Service, stated, "We hope that the National Park Virtual Reality will become an innovative medium that satisfies the public's desire to explore and delivers new experiences." He added, "We will continue to strive to discover new public services in the post-COVID era."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.