Finding Solutions to Inter-Korean Issues in Virtual Space... 'Metaverse and the Future of the Korean Peninsula' Forum Held

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] An opportunity has been created to explore the future of the Korean Peninsula through the domestic metaverse industry.

The forum titled "Metaverse and the Future of the Korean Peninsula," hosted by Park Seong-jung, a member of the People Power Party, the National Manufacturing Forum, Kwangwoon University Korean Peninsula Metaverse Research Institute, the Unification Law Policy Research Association, and the Seoul Bar Association, and organized by the ISD Corporate Policy Research Institute, will be held on the 29th at 2 p.m. in the main conference room of the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul.

The first part of the forum will feature a presentation by Professor Kim Jeong-gwon of Kwangwoon University, with discussants including Lee Seong-ju, visiting researcher at George Mason University, and Chae Su-young, head of the EBS Metaverse Team. The second part, themed "Legal Issues for Building the Korean Peninsula Metaverse," will include presentations by lawyer Kim Hanna and Professor Jeong Il-young of Sogang University, with lawyer Gu Hyeong-jun participating as a discussant. The forum will be broadcast live on Naver TV.

Park Seong-jung, member of the People Power Party, said, "The 'Korean Peninsula Metaverse,' the pride of ICT technology, is not a distant illusion from science fiction but our reality," adding, "The deeper the contemplation on the Korean Peninsula Metaverse, the closer independent unification will become."

This forum addresses the macro discourse of seeking solutions to the Korean Peninsula issues alongside the development direction of metaverse technology, which is central to the Web 3.0 era. In particular, the "Metaverse and the Future of the Korean Peninsula" forum aims to creatively approach and seek solutions through the metaverse amid the complex currents surrounding the Korean Peninsula, including the South Korean government's recent North Korea policies, failures in North Korean nuclear negotiations, the US-China trade war, and Western economic sanctions against Russia.

Professor Kim Jeong-gwon of Kwangwoon University explained, "We intend to examine various issues such as unification, peace, human rights, and culture on the Korean Peninsula through the metaverse," adding, "Although we have not resolved the Korean Peninsula issues faced over the past 40 years, the significance of this forum lies in attempting to solve these problems through cutting-edge metaverse future technology."

Lawyer Kim Hanna, who presented on "Legal Issues for Building the Korean Peninsula Metaverse," stated, "In the metaverse space, there are various legal issues such as recognition of ownership of virtual goods and copyright infringement," adding, "Key issues include the real-world effectiveness of activities conducted within the metaverse, taxation of commerce, and recognition of rights to creations and expressions. This forum will serve as a concrete and systematic venue to improve related laws and systems."

Choi Yang-o, director of the ISD Corporate Policy Research Institute, explained, "Currently, with the stalemate between South and North Korea, there is a need to expand exchanges and build consensus between the two Koreas, and the metaverse can provide clues," adding, "Also, as an economic integration platform, it can instill a unification consensus among the MZ generation."