National Museum of Korea

The National Museum of Korea is the country’s principal state museum for Korean history and art, with an extensive collection that traces the region’s cultural heritage from prehistoric periods through to modern times. The museum’s main building is located in the Yongsan district of Seoul and houses permanent and temporary exhibition halls, conservation facilities and public programmes.

Exhibition highlights range from archaeological material and ancient ceramics to metalwork, paintings and calligraphy, organised to present a chronological and thematic view of Korean history and visual culture. The museum also operates a Children’s Museum and educational activities, and displays large-scale works in an outdoor sculpture garden.

The institution was formed to assemble and exhibit national collections and has developed modern conservation and display facilities to support research, loans and public access. Its galleries are used for long-term displays of major artefacts as well as for rotating special exhibitions from domestic and international partners.

Located on raised grounds in the Yongsan neighbourhood, the museum sits close to the Han River and adjacent parkland, with good transport links to central Seoul and nearby national transport hubs.

• Main building: The main museum building in the Yongsan district opened in 2005 and concentrates a national collection that spans prehistoric times to the modern era.

What to See #

• Main Exhibition Halls: Main Exhibition Halls - permanent galleries covering prehistoric, ancient, medieval and modern periods of Korean history and art, arranged across multiple floors.
• Children's Museum: Children's Museum - interactive galleries and educational programmes designed for families and younger visitors.
• Outdoor Sculpture Garden: Outdoor Sculpture Garden and grounds - landscaped areas outside the main building with large-scale sculptures and views toward the Han River and surrounding parkland.