Seoul City Digitally Restores Joseon Government Office 'Gungisi' Using AR·VR

Cultural Heritage Metaverse App 'Gongjon' Unveiled

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The world’s first rocket weapon, the ‘Singijeon,’ along with the central government office responsible for manufacturing military supplies during the Joseon Dynasty, the ‘Gungisi (軍器寺),’ is being digitally restored after more than 140 years and will be returned to the public. Through the ‘Heritage Metaverse’ app, visitors can watch actual weapon manufacturing scenes such as the Singijeon Hwacha developed at the old Gungisi site and also experience firing traditional weapons like cannons and Chongtong.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government, in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Administration, Woomi Hope Foundation, and Cheil Worldwide, announced the successful completion of the ‘Gungisi Project’ and the unveiling of the digitally restored ‘Gungisi’ using augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).

In this regard, on the 15th, Seoul will hold a ‘Heritage Metaverse Unveiling Event’ at the Hwaljjak Lounge on the B1 floor of the Seoul City Hall, attended by Kim Eui-seung, First Deputy Mayor of Seoul, Lee Kyung-hoon, Deputy Director of the Cultural Heritage Administration, Lee Seok-jun, Chairman of Woomi Hope Foundation, Kim Jong-hyun, CEO of Cheil Worldwide, and others.

This ‘Gungisi Project’ is part of the ‘Heritage Metaverse’ construction efforts following the restoration of Donuimun (敦義門, Seodaemun) in 2019. After Donuimun (city gate) and Gungisi (government office), the city plans to recreate various royal court ceremonies held at Gyeongbokgung Palace, a representative Joseon Dynasty palace, in the metaverse.

Following the restoration of Donuimun using AR and VR technology in 2019, this second project, the Gungisi Project, is significant as it is the first case of digitally restoring the central government office for weapon manufacturing during the Joseon Dynasty.

First, visitors can see the restored appearance of the Gungisi government office building, which disappeared after being integrated into the Gigi Bureau in 1884 (the 21st year of King Gojong’s reign). Through this, the interior and exterior of the old Gungisi can be vividly viewed in AR, and the entire Gungisi can be observed using VR devices.

In particular, with the launch of the Heritage Metaverse application ‘Gongjon,’ citizens can experience the Gungisi building and weapons (such as Singijeon and Byeonijunghwacha), as well as the weapon manufacturing process inside the building, in AR at the Gungisi excavation site. Additionally, by creating their own avatars, users can visit the Gungisi relic exhibition hall and tour Gungisi without physically visiting the site. This is expected to enable coexistence and communication beyond physical space between on-site visitors and remote global visitors within the digital cultural heritage space.

Next to the Gungisi relic exhibition hall, a virtual reality experience space has also been created. Visitors can experience ‘History VR,’ which allows them to learn about the history and operation of Gungisi through VR videos while seated in motion chairs, and ‘Cinematic VR,’ which vividly recreates the characteristics and power of Gungisi-related weapons against the backdrop of the Battle of Haengju.

Meanwhile, to facilitate visitors’ convenience, Seoul will provide guidance services for AR and VR experience equipment through tourist guides stationed at the Citizen Hall. The Gungisi relic exhibition hall is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (however, the VR experience space operates Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.).

Kim Eui-seung, First Deputy Mayor of Seoul, stated, “Seoul is a modern metropolis as well as a historic city boasting 2,000 years of tradition. The historic city of Seoul has created a new historical tourism resource combining history and technology through public-private cooperation.” He added, “With the digital restoration of Gungisi, we plan to develop it as a historical tourism resource that transcends virtual and real, online and offline.”