Ministry of Science and ICT Holds Launch Ceremony for 'Metaverse Economy Activation Public-Private TF'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-sun] Park Yoon-gyu, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, held the launch ceremony of the 'Metaverse Economy Activation Public-Private TF' on the 15th at the 'Korea Virtual and Augmented Reality Complex (KOVAC)' located in Nurikum Square, Sangam-dong, Seoul, as part of the '4th Digital National Agenda On-site Meeting.'

With the inclusion of 'Metaverse Economy Activation' in the government’s national agenda, the existing 'Metaverse Government Forum' and 'Metaverse Intergovernmental Council' were integrated to systematically implement the national agenda, leading to the launch of the Metaverse Public-Private TF through this meeting.

The Ministry of Science and ICT has formed the TF centered on government ministries related to the metaverse, private companies, and academic experts, and plans to gradually expand participation to address issues such as personal information protection, copyright, and spatial information, while flexibly adjusting the scope of participating ministries and companies.

At the launch ceremony, participants from metaverse-related ministries and private experts conducted in-depth discussions on 'Changes in Life and Future Visions Due to the Rise of the Metaverse,' focusing on key tasks for activating the metaverse economy, including the enactment of the 'Metaverse Special Act,' proactive regulatory innovation, and metaverse ethical principles.

Professor Lee Seung-min of Sungkyunkwan University School of Law presented a survey on the status of bills proposed in the National Assembly, including the Metaverse Industry Promotion Act and recent bills aimed at regulating sexual crimes within the metaverse. Emphasizing that in the early stages of new industry growth, it is important to establish a legal foundation for industrial promotion alongside proactive regulatory innovation, he suggested the basic direction of legislation for metaverse promotion and regulatory innovation elements that must be addressed in individual industrial sectors.

Dr. Moon Ah-ram of the Korea Information Society Development Institute emphasized the 'Metaverse Ethical Principles' as a measure to support the self-regulatory efforts of social members to create a safe and trustworthy metaverse ecosystem.

2nd Vice Minister Park Yoon-gyu stated, "To enable our country to leap forward as a leading nation in the metaverse, the new digital continent, in the era of digital economic hegemony competition, it is necessary for the private sector to take the lead and for comprehensive government support." He added, "We will actively support legislative discussions in the National Assembly for the enactment of the Metaverse Special Act and proactively innovate regulations that may arise during the spread of metaverse services."

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