A 'Metaverse' Trend Gently Blowing into Public Institutions

K-Water Utilizes Supporters' Launch Ceremony and Namdong Power ESG Meeting

K-water held the inauguration ceremony for the 15th K-water University Student Supporters on the 11th using the metaverse platform 'ifland.' A total of 132 people participated in the ceremony, including K-water President Park Jae-hyun.

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The metaverse trend, a three-dimensional virtual world where social, economic, and cultural activities occur just like in the real world, is spreading even among public institutions. To overcome physical restrictions such as social distancing due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of public enterprises are using metaverse platforms not only for various meetings but also for events like anniversary ceremonies and university student supporters' launch ceremonies.

Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water) recently held the launch ceremony for the 15th K-Water University Student Supporters using ‘ifland,’ a metaverse platform operated by SK Telecom.

Including K-Water President Park Jae-hyun, 132 supporters of the 15th group created their avatars in the metaverse world and participated in the launch ceremony. A K-Water official explained, "This event was organized to provide participants, who are from Generation Z, with an opportunity to experience innovative technologies aligned with the digital transformation era and to enhance interactive communication by utilizing the metaverse. This launch ceremony using the metaverse is the first attempt by a public enterprise."

Until December this year, they will carry out various mission activities such as producing online content including UCC (User Created Content) and card news on monthly themes like △water management projects for national water welfare △green transition including ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management △water conservation practices △creation of social value, and plan to communicate with the public through social networking services (SNS). All teams completing the supporters' activities will receive certificates of completion signed by the K-Water president, and outstanding teams will be awarded scholarships and prizes.

Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd. (Namdong Power) is actively utilizing the metaverse for ESG management. In response to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and the need to expand new work areas beyond traditional work styles, Namdong Power has promoted the development of a non-face-to-face metaverse platform and opened ‘Koen Village,’ a virtual space using the Zepeto platform, on the 30th of last month. This is Namdong Power’s first metaverse, replicating meeting rooms and event halls. On the 2nd, Namdong Power also held a meeting using the metaverse space to review the progress of the ‘Top 10 ESG Management Innovation Tasks.’

Korea Industrial Complex Corporation held its 57th anniversary ceremony using a metaverse platform. Previously, the ceremony was held in the main conference room at headquarters, but this time employees attended using unique avatars via smartphones from regional headquarters offices and business trip locations nationwide, overcoming spatial constraints.

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