The National Museum of Korea has announced the creation of a dedicated exhibition space for the “Oegyujanggak Uigwe,” royal protocols, which will be opened to the public on the 15th. This space, known as the ‘Royal Archives,’ has been crafted to resemble the Oegyujanggak and will feature 32 volumes throughout the year, including unique copies of Uigwe.
During the Joseon Dynasty, major state and royal ceremonies were documented comprehensively to serve as exemplars for future generations. Among these records, the Uigwe, stored at Oegyujanggak on Ganghwa Island by the order of King Jeongjo, were primarily for the king’s perusal and highly valued along with other royal treasures.
After being looted by the French military in 1866 and returning to Korea 145 years later, a special space will now allow continuous public access to these records. This is a first for the museum, which previously hosted two special exhibitions and had part of the collection displayed on the first floor.
The Uigyujanggak Uigwe Room, spanning approximately 195 square meters, is designed to evoke the original Oegyujanggak, complete with pillars and lattice doors, to create a ‘Royal Archives’ atmosphere. Visitors can view eight volumes at a time, including records from King Sukjong’s reign and the valued ‘Jongmyorepairdogramuigwe’ from 1637. Among the exhibited works are those with original covers intact, like the ‘Jangryeol Queen’s Respectful Ceremony Uigwe’.
Given that the Uigwe are written in Chinese characters, rendering them complex to understand, digital versions are provided for an interactive and educational experience. The museum plans to rotate the display four times a year to ensure the preservation of the Uigwe while showcasing related research findings.
The new display area was completed with the support of the National Museum of Korea Society and its young friends group, YFM, who sponsored the exhibition-related expenses. YFM chairman Song Byung-jun expressed hope that this space, along with the museum’s other projects, would become a cultural staple.
Kim Jae-hong, the museum director, emphasized that the space was designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of this precious cultural heritage, encouraging youth and children to explore it.