GANGNEUNG CITY ENG - 솔향강릉

     Gangneung City is set to unveil the Gangneung Metaverse Experience Center, integrating various winter sports with advanced technology to demonstrate its global capabilities as the host city and ensure the success of the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics.

      The center, dedicated to athletes and visitors, will operate from January 19 to February 1, 2024, in the Green City Experience Center Convention Building.

      It features a Metaverse Technology Hall with multiple projectors for media art displays, and an interactive space where visitors can easily understand and experience the principles and applications of metaverse technology.

      A Metaverse Sports Hall that offers immersive experiences of winter Olympic sports such as skeleton, bobsleigh, alpine skiing, speed skating, and curling with metaverse-enabled devices and simulators is also set up.

     ​In preparation for the Olympics, partial completion of the Experience Center is scheduled for December 27 (Wed), with a trial run planned from January 11 (Thu) to 17 (Wed), 2024. The operating hours will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

     ​The operation of the Experience Center during the Olympics is expected to enhance the stature of Korea as a leading ICT nation by promoting metaverse technology both domestically and internationally. It also aims to strengthen the advanced industrial base and regionally balanced development by establishing metaverse industry infrastructure.

     ​A Metaverse Convergence Multiplex is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and ICT, and there are plans to establish four experiential spaces on three floors by 2025.

     ​After completing two experiential spaces, contractors were selected to design and install the second and third floors. The construction of a state-of-the-art media screening space and various metaverse experience zones is expected to be completed by July 2024, with a grand opening planned for September.

     ​A Gangneung City official said: "With the Metaverse Experience Center, we hope to provide many unique attractions and activities characteristic of Gangneung as a Winter Olympics host city. By locating the Center in the Gyeongpo area, a major tourist destination, we aim to create a synergistic effect with nearby attractions such as the Arte Museum and actively contribute to the attraction of domestic and international tourists and revitalize the local economy."