Welcome to
the National Museum of Korea,
where history and culture breathe and the past, present, and future meet in harmony.

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• • History and culture are not simply relics of the past; they are the bedrock of our lives today and a previous inheritance to be cherished and passed on to future generations. Since its founding, the National Museum of Korea has faithfully fulfilled its mission as a cultural institution, preserving, managing, and researching the nation’s heritage. We share its value with audiences in Korea and around the world through exhibitions and education.

  • The museum has grown alongside the modern history of the Republic of Korea. From its early days in Seokjojeon Hall at Deoksugung palace in the 1960s to the National Folk Museum building in the 1970s, the former Japanese Government-General building in the 1980s, and the National Palace Museum building in the early 2000s, it has found its present home in Yongsan since 2005. Here, it has become a beloved landmark and a true symbol of Korea’s history and culture.

  • Every museum stands on three pillars; its collections, its building, and its people. In all three, the National Museum of Korea proudly ranks among the world’s foremost. We offer seven permanent galleries organized by period and theme, special exhibitions on a wide range of topics, and guided tours for deeper understanding. The hands-on Children’s Museum, diverse educational programs, and cutting-edge experiential content are all designed to let every visitor see, hear, learn, and feel the richness of history and culture. Through continued efforts to improve accessibility, the Museum is evolving into an open cultural space for people of all generations and backgrounds.

  • As times change, so too does the role of museum. Together with the people of Korea, the National Museum of Korea reaffirms that the roots of K-Culture lie in our own cultural heritage. We will lead the way in enhancing Korea’s stature as a cultural powerhouse on the global stage. We look forward to your continued companionship in safeguarding and sharing the history and culture of Korea.

  • Thank you.

  YOU Hong June
  Director of the National Museum of Korea