Israeli embassy, Einstein invite world to a metaverse space

Diplomacy

Published: 20 Sep. 2022, 18:24 Updated: 20 Sep. 2022, 18:27

Israeli embassy, Einstein invite world to a metaverse space

A space within the "Israel-Korea Metaverse" [EMBASSY OF ISRAEL IN KOREA]

Israel's Embassy in Seoul launched a metaverse space on Tuesday, inviting users from around the world to join discussions on Kpop, the Hebrew language, Israeli folk dances and Taekwondo.

The space, accessible via the mobile application, “Israel-Korea Metaverse,” is designed as a two-floor pavilion with a photo exhibition on Israel-Korea relations on the first floor, and a meeting space for users to communicate or join group meetings or conferences on the second.

Upon entry to the pavilion’s first floor, the user is greeted with an avatar of Albert Einstein, who provides an introduction.

“I am thinking of a Metaverse with Hebrew and Korean language clubs, Israeli Film Festival, virtual meetings of the alpine climate student clubs of Israel and Korea, a hangout for lovers of K-pop or the Hebrew bible, a place for a debate on archaeology and the future of autonomous vehicles,” Akiva Tor, ambassador of Israel to Korea, told an audience at the launch ceremony of the space at the Ryse Hotel in western Seoul on Tuesday.

The space was created by the embassy in cooperation with Vrillar, a metaverse developer, as part of a series of programs to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Israel and Korea this year.

While it was groundbreaking for the embassy to work with a metaverse space, Tor said it was just one more way to connect people.

Akiva Tor, ambassador of Israel to Korea, speaks with the press at the launching event of the metaverse space, "Israel-Korea Metaverse," in Seoul on Tuesday. [ESTHER CHUNG]

“This is the first, but I think it will catch on with time, because there was a time when embassies were just starting to create websites, in the 1980s, and now websites are something that embassies cannot be without, to provide that 24-hour presence on the web,” Tor said. “These kinds of tools will become very important for diplomatic relations.”

Haim Herzog, an Israeli who’s been studying and working in Korea for the past five years, said a virtual space to exchange ideas has become a norm especially after the pandemic.

“More Israelis are looking to learn about Korea, and it’s been hard especially during the pandemic to make the right connections,” Herzog said at the launch ceremony.

“Using these new tools and platforms for communications will not only open doors for the younger generation but also those who have struggled to network and make new connections during the pandemic. So this is great news for both Israelis and Koreans interested in each other’s culture and businesses.”

A photo in the exhibition dedicated to the 60 years of relations between Israel and Korea available for view on the "Israel-Korea Metaverse" space accessible by the mobile application of the same name. [ESTHER CHUNG]

BY ESTHER CHUNG [chung.juhee@joongang.co.kr]