Gongju City announced on the 26th the launch of its "Metaverse Gongju" platform construction project as a 8th Local Election campaign pledge to establish a metaverse platform for contactless communication, pursue a sustainable digital innovation ecosystem, and secure differentiated competitiveness from other municipalities. The kick-off meeting held on the 23rd at City Hall included Mayor Choi Won-cheol, Deputy Mayor Kang Gwan-sik, and 20+ participants. Main project components: metaverse Gongju mini-map and platform construction; integration with "Onnuri Gongju" member information for platform activation; metaverse implementation of UNESCO World Heritage and other tourist sites; development of 5-day/2-country village introduction and experience content; integration with lifelong learning portal and metaverse academy content development. Distinctive feature: integration with the Onnuri Gongju citizen system already exceeding 190,000 members — leveraging the nationally-first cyber citizen system to ensure stable initial establishment and activation. The city plans to complete detailed project plans and pilot service construction by year-end, with full service operation beginning in early next year. Mayor Choi: "Preempting digital technology and rapidly applying it to local characteristics will be one alternative to overcome local extinction crisis — 'Metaverse Gongju' will become a platform that multiplies Gongju's appeal and competitiveness."