Dr. Ahn Jong-bae (안종배), 

Chairman of the Global Future Studies Association,

Honorable Akiva Tor (아키바 토르), 

Ambassador of Israel to the Republic of Korea,

Honorable Alfredo Carlos Bascou, 

Ambassador of Argentina to the Republic of Korea, 

Honorable Sami M . Alsadhan, 

Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Korea,

Honorable Charis Margaretha E. Obetsebi -Lamptey Zwennes, 

Ambassador of Ghana to the Republic of Korea,

Honorable Khalid Ebrahim Al-Hamar, 

Ambassador of Qatar to the Republic of Korea,

Honorable Khaled Abdel Rahman Hassan Abdelrahman, Ambassador of Egypt to the Republic of Korea,

Honorable Nabeel Munir, 

Ambassador of Pakistan to the Republic of Korea,

Honorable Deyab Farhan Al-Rashidi, 

Ambassador designate of Kuwait to the Republic of Korea,

Honorable Pablo Ernesto Scheiner Correa, 

Ambassador designate of Uruguay to the Republic of Korea,

Honorable Murat Tamer, 

Ambassador designate of Turkiye to the Republic of Korea,

Honorable Christian Atoki Ileka , 

Ambassador designate of D.R. Congo to the Republic of Korea, 

Honorable Amira Agarib, 

Ambassador designate of Sudan to the Republic of Korea,

Honorable Sara Angelina Solis Castañeda, 

Ambassador designate of Guatemala to the Republic of Korea,

Entrepreneurs from 

Meta, SKT A.(에스케이티 에이닷), 

Naver Z, Com2Verse(컴투버스), 

and SM Entertainment, 

Excellencies, 

Members of the Diplomatic Corps, 

Experts, Creators, 

and Distinguished Guests, 

Welcome to the 

Future Dialogue for Global Innovation 2022.  

This timely and relevant dialogue is 

coming at a juncture when we are ushering in 

the digital transformation era together.

The theme of this year’s Future Dialogue is 

“A Habitable New World: Rethinking 

Technology and Humanity in the Metaverse.” 

While the world continues to 

grapple with emerging variants, 

the pandemic has fundamentally changed our lives

and how we work, learn, and socialize.

For example, this is the first time 

this dialogue has been held in person 

since the beginning of the pandemic.

All this time, the pandemic turbocharged 

the timeline for digital transformation, 

setting the stage for the metaverse to take off.

Metaverse is a futuristic idea.

But the term’s origin actually 

comes from the past.

Almost 30 years ago, in fact.

American writer Neal Stephenson 

coined the term in his science fiction novel, 

“Snow Crash.”

In the novel, people use digital avatars of themselves 

to explore the virtual world, 

often as a way of escaping a dystopian reality.

In the three decades that have passed, 

many of the elements of Stephenson’s virtual world

are being materialized,

thanks to the advancement of technology 

and the global spread of COVID pandemic.

The metaverse is, without a doubt, 

the next paradigm shift in digital technology.

The metaverse market is expected 

to exceed 47 billion US dollars in 2022. 

The projections for 2030 estimate 

that the figure will reach 680 billion US dollars. 

Recently, Korean companies are emerging 

as key players in the field of metarverse

Naver Z Corporation launched

a metaverse social media platform called Zepeto.

Zepeto allows users to create digital avatars 

to meet and chat in different virtual worlds.

I also have my twin Avatar with Zepeto.

Take a look!

Korean entertainment companies 

are also beginning to offer 

metaverse experiences to their global fans.

SM Entertainment’s Aespa 

is the first girl group with a metaverse worldview,

where the members exist together with 

their self-created avatars in the virtual world.

Here, human and avartars perform together as one team

Lets take a look!

SM Entertainment even established 

a company specializing in metaverse content 

called Studio Kwangya.

In tandem with the private sector, 

the Korean government is also actively embracing 

and investing in the new wave of the metaverse.

The Republic of Korea’s geographical 

land mass may be small. 

But, it is fast becoming the new powerhouse 

in the unchartered digital world of the metaverse.

.

Here are some figures that show 

Korea’s potential in the metaverse field.

Korea ranks:

5th among the world’s most forward-thinking countries , 

4th in patent cooperation treaty applications ,

3rd in AI patent applications ,

2nd in metaverse related patent applications ,

and 1st in the Digital Government Index .

In his speech at New York University this September 

President 윤석열 unveiled his “New York Initiative.”

He urged the international community 

to participate in creating a new digital order 

to promote freedom, solidarity, and human rights. 

In addition, he reaffirmed our unwavering commitment 

to fulfill our role and responsibility 

as a global pivotal state or gps, as we call it in the digital era

by sharing the benefits with global citizens.

While the Republic of Korea 

hopes to unlock the full potential of the metaverse, 

we are also aware of the accompanying risks and challenges.

In his New York Initiative, President Yoon 

asserted that the digital ecosystem 

should not be dominated by certain classes.

In addition he emphasized 

the importance of preventing polarization 

resulting from the digital gaps.

In this context, 

the Korean government announced last month

the “Ethical Principles of the Metaverse,” 

the first of its kind worldwide. 

The principles laid down include :

responsibility, inclusion, data protection, 

fairness, authenticity, autonomy, reciprocity, 

and respect for privacy.

As a global pivotal state,

Korea hopes to lead the global discussion 

on agendas that we, humanity as a whole, 

need to cooperate in solidarity.

In this regard, Korea has bid 

to host the World Expo 2030 in Busan. 

Our proposed theme for the World Expo is 

“Transforming Our World, 

Navigating Toward a Better Future.”  

In fact, we have designated 

“Technology for Humanity” 

as one of the three sub-themes for the Busan Expo.

We will launch the Expo in the Metaverse 2030, 

the first ever metaverse platform in World Expo history. 

The face-to-face Expo will be mirrored 

in the metaverse with performances 

by global K-pop stars 

and offer access to exciting K-culture programs.

By engaging and uniting people

online and offline,

the Busan Expo will be an open and inclusive platform 

where cultural exchanges can flourish. 

The Busan Expo will be one of the most

technologically advanced Expos yet. 

As I mentioned in the beginning of my speech,

metaverse is the brainchild of the modern technology 

and ironically the impact of the novel COVID-19 virus.

As our journey toward fighting the pandemic 

and making technological break-through continues,

I hope that new innovations in the Metaverse 

will lead us toward a better future for all.

Embracing the Global Pivotal State vision,

Korea will seek a pivotal role in trying to create 

a new momentum for a quantum leap forward,

even in the midst of crisis.

I am confident today’s Future Dialogue 

will be rich in imaginative and innovative ideas.

These ideas will be invaluable in helping us navigate the

new world: which is the realm of the metaverse.      

Thank you. /END/