Announcement of Major Work Plans for 2025: Strengthening Calligraphy Content and Establishing an Islamic Room
Introduction of the “Lee Kun-hee Collection” in the US… Total Visitors Including Affiliated Museums Last Year Hit 10.91 Million
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Yena – This year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, and there will be exhibitions focusing on Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598) and marathon hero Sohn Kee-chung (1912-2002).
A systematic approach to scientifically manage and preserve cultural heritage will be established, and Lee Kun-hee’s collection will be introduced to American audiences.
The National Museum of Korea announced its major work plans for 2025 on the 20th. This year also marks the 80th anniversary since the acquisition of the Japanese Government-General Museum after Korea’s liberation in 1945, and the 20th anniversary since the museum moved to Yongsan.
A museum official explained, “We set four major initiatives: ‘Museum of Empathy,’ ‘Open Museum,’ ‘Museum of Convergence,’ and ‘Museum of Coexistence,’ and will pursue various projects.”
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of liberation, the museum will emphasize the significance of peace and overcoming national crises. A special exhibition, “Yi Sun-sin,” will be held in November to explore the human side of Admiral Yi who longed for peace amidst the chaos of war. Additionally, there will be special and in-depth exhibitions recalling the moment Sohn Kee-chung raised national pride by winning a gold medal in the marathon at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Yongsan museum opening, an exhibition focusing on the flow and importance of early Joseon Dynasty art will be held from June to August.
In October, a new Conservation Science Center will open, equipped with advanced technology for scientifically managing cultural heritage. The center will include a 3D scanning and digital restoration room, preservation treatment rooms for different materials, and an analysis lab.
By 2029, the museum plans to expand and relocate the Children’s Museum. Other projects include examining Korea’s food culture through residue analysis from prehistoric and historical pottery, and conducting a research project using rubbings from North Korean regions for epigraphical studies.
The Calligraphy Room in the permanent exhibition will enhance its content with typefaces and seals, and in August, an international event focusing on digital heritage will be held in collaboration with KAIST.
The museum aims to introduce the beauty and elegance of Korea throughout the year. Korean paintings, ceramics, and crafts donated by Chairman Lee Kun-hee will be displayed at the National Asian Art Museum in the US in November, featuring over 250 pieces, including the national treasure “Mount Inwang Jeongseon.”
The Denver Museum in the US will highlight the elegant curves of moon jars, while Germany’s Dresden State Art Collections will showcase various artifacts spanning from the Three Kingdoms period to the Joseon Dynasty to highlight Korean culture.
The museum is also preparing exhibitions introducing various world cultures and arts. In April, a special exhibition addressing the history, culture, and art of indigenous peoples of the Pacific region will debut domestically. In November, a new “Islamic Room” will be added to the permanent exhibition.
In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Korean-Japanese diplomatic normalization, an exchange exhibition with the Tokyo National Museum will be conducted, alongside special exhibitions featuring masterpieces by world-renowned artists such as Renoir, Gauguin, and Van Gogh.
Last year, the total number of visitors to the National Museum of Korea and its affiliated museums was approximately 10,908,443, with about 350,000 being foreign visitors. While the National Museum saw a decline in visitors to 3,788,785 compared to the previous year (4,180,285), the total number including affiliated institutions and foreign visitors reached an all-time high.
Kim Jae-hong, Director of the National Museum of Korea, stated, “We will strive to connect the past, present, and future, becoming a museum that unites everyone through diverse cultures.”