Korea Heritage Service launches AI and VR cultural experience at Dong-A University Hospital

The Korea Heritage Service, in collaboration with the Korea Heritage Agency, is operating a mobile digital exhibition titled ‘National Heritage Digital Companion COMES 01’ at Dong-A University Hospital in Busan from October 26 to 30. The initiative aims to provide patients and guardians who may have difficulty visiting traditional cultural sites with access to national heritage through advanced digital technology.

The program features an AI docent that provides information about the five major palaces, including Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, through voice-activated interactions. Virtual reality (VR) content, such as ‘The Poet’s Room’ focusing on Yun Dong-ju and ‘Danijeon: The Story of Miindo’ based on Shin Yun-bok’s paintings, is designed to be viewed while seated to accommodate the physical conditions of hospital visitors.

In addition to digital displays, the exhibition includes hands-on activities like gold leaf craft workshops and tactile heritage models. The program is part of a broader effort to improve accessibility to cultural heritage through digital means, following a similar event at Wonju Severance Christian Hospital and with a scheduled visit to Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital in November.