Korea Heritage Service launches digital cultural tour in hospitals

The Korea Heritage Service and the Korea Heritage Agency are launching ‘National Heritage Digital Companion COMES 01’, a traveling digital cultural experience program designed for hospital visitors. Starting October 12, the initiative will tour three major hospitals in Wonju, Busan, and Seoul to provide patients, caregivers, and individuals with limited mobility access to cultural heritage.

The program features various digital and sensory zones. Virtual Reality (VR) experiences include films based on the poetry of Yun Dong-ju and the paintings of Shin Yun-bok. Augmented Reality (AR) allows users to explore Jeju’s national heritage, while multimedia books provide information on royal palaces. At the Dong-A University Hospital in Busan and Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, an AI docent will be available to answer questions about Korea’s five major palaces in six different languages.

In addition to digital tools, the program includes sensory activities such as making mini keyrings using gold leaf craft techniques and using tactile catalogs and models to feel the shapes of national heritage items. The tour begins at Wonju Severance Christian Hospital from October 12 to 16, moves to Dong-A University Hospital in Busan from October 26 to 30, and concludes at Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital from November 2 to 6.