'Metaverse Seoul' Selected by Time Magazine as One of the 200 Best Inventions of the Year

Recognized as the First Innovation Case in the 'Metaverse' Field
World's First City Government-Owned Metaverse Platform...Attracting Great Interest Overseas

Metaverse Seoul image used in Time magazine

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 13th that 'Metaverse Seoul' was selected as one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2022 by TIME magazine.

'Metaverse Seoul' was chosen as the best invention in the metaverse category among 27 fields and was recognized as the first innovation case in the metaverse sector. This year, among the best inventions in the metaverse category, Seoul’s Metaverse Seoul was the only one selected in the public sector.

The four inventions selected in the metaverse category this year are: Seoul’s own metaverse platform ‘Metaverse Seoul’; Microsoft’s ‘Mesh for Microsoft Teams,’ which enables realistic meetings in virtual environments through personal avatars; Actronika’s ‘Skinetic Haptic Vest,’ which offers innovative vibration haptic experiences; and Magnopus’s ‘Connected Spaces,’ an immersive cross-device platform that integrates the physical and digital worlds.

Meanwhile, as Metaverse Seoul is the first metaverse platform being built by a city government worldwide, it has attracted significant overseas attention even before its official launch. With Metaverse Seoul being recognized by TIME as one of this year’s best inventions before its official release, the status of Seoul’s metaverse project is expected to rise significantly.

Metaverse Seoul is Seoul’s own metaverse platform, the first to be promoted not only by a local government in Korea but also by any city government worldwide. Following the ‘Metaverse Seoul Promotion Basic Plan’ established in October last year, the city began the first phase of the Metaverse Seoul project this year.

Lee Hye-kyung, Director of Digital Policy, said, “It is positive that Metaverse Seoul is attracting attention not only from TIME but also from many overseas institutions and media.” She added, “By successfully completing the first phase of the project this year, we will gradually advance Seoul’s metaverse platform to the world’s highest level through the remaining second and third phases, further enhancing Seoul’s global status as a leading smart city.”

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