Korea’s Citiverse: From Digital Twins to Human-Centered Smart Cities

Korea is exploring how to take smart cities to the next level – moving beyond digital twins toward the Citiverse, an immersive approach that places people at the centre of urban innovation. Through government-led R&D projects and pilot initiatives – such as Seoul’s Metaverse Government Platform – the country is testing how digitalisation can be harnessed for more inclusive governance, new service models, and richer citizen engagement.

Ellie Lee from the Smart City Association of South Korea shared how the nation is redefining smart urbanism – from data-driven efficiency to human-centred, participatory city ecosystems designed for resilience in the digital era.

Korea’s journey toward the Citiverse builds on three decades of smart-city development. It began in 1994 with a government-led high-speed internet initiative that laid the foundation for today’s connected urban infrastructure. Early programmes such as the Ubiquitous City Project integrated ICT into city planning and operations, creating data-based governance structures that positioned Korea as a global pioneer.

The Smart City Law of 2018 formalised this progress, introducing regulatory sandboxes that allowed startups to test new technologies under real conditions and enabling integrated operation centres for unified traffic, environment, and citizen management. Pilot projects such as Sejong 5-1 District and Busan Eco-Delta City demonstrate how data-driven systems can support sustainable growth, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

Building on this foundation, the Citiverse marks a decisive shift from technological connectivity toward immersive, human-centred experiences. Instead of observing data from a distance, citizens engage directly with virtual layers of the city through digital twins, AI-based simulations, and immersive governance platforms. This transformation allows people to participate in urban planning, explore digital cultural spaces, or attend virtual consultations – bringing inclusivity and collaboration to the heart of city life.

By combining AI-driven analytics, virtual participation, and cyber-physical integration, the Citiverse strengthens both innovation and democratic engagement. Yet challenges such as privacy protection, interoperability, and equal digital access remain essential for building public trust and ensuring no one is left behind.

Ultimately, Korea’s vision extends beyond technology: it seeks to make cities more empathetic, transparent, and participatory – where digitalisation enhances belonging and resilience, and where citizens help shape the evolving relationship between the physical and virtual worlds.

This event is part of the ISCN Global Mixer, a series of events organized by the International Smart Cities Network. The presentations cover a wide range of topics related to international smart city approaches and provide exciting insights into urban digitalization worldwide - in just 30 minutes.