South Korea has been making significant investments in the metaverse, seeing it as a potential new economic growth engine. The country’s Ministry of Science and ICT recently announced a major investment in a fund dedicated to driving metaverse initiatives, with the goal of supporting the mergers and acquisitions of various firms in the metaverse ecosystem and helping domestic metaverse-related companies compete with global players.
The South Korean government has invested 24 billion Korean won ($18.1 million) to create a fund of more than 40 billion Korean won ($30.2 million) for metaverse development. The fund, called the Metaverse Fund, aims to help local players raise capital and compete with major tech companies, which have shown increasing interest in the metaverse.
The government recognizes that it can be difficult for local players to raise capital through private investments due to the underlying investment risks. As a result, the Metaverse Fund will provide a new avenue for investment and support to local companies looking to expand their metaverse-related offerings.
In addition to investing in the Metaverse Fund, South Korea also plans to actively support local metaverse-related companies. The country aims to help these firms compete with global players and plans to assist in their growth and development.
However, while South Korea is investing heavily in the metaverse, the country is still cautious about potential cross-border threats. In February, the country announced independent sanctions related to cryptocurrency thefts and cyberattacks against specific North Korean groups and individuals. This move demonstrates South Korea’s commitment to maintaining checks and balances on potential threats in the physical world.
Overall, South Korea’s investments in the metaverse reflect the country’s commitment to exploring new opportunities for economic growth. By supporting local companies and investing in the development of the metaverse ecosystem, South Korea is positioning itself to be a leader in this emerging field.