National Museum of Korea Museum

Address: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Website: https://www.museum.go.kr

Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00am-6:00pm, closed Mondays

Admission: Free (special exhibitions may charge)

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.

The National Museum of Korea in Yongsan is served by Seoul Subway - get off at Ichon Station (Line 4 / Jungang Line) and use the museum exits, then walk roughly 10-15 minutes through the riverside park area to the museum grounds. Buses serving the Yongsan/Ichon area stop close to the museum as well.

• Best time of day: arrive at the National Museum of Korea at opening on a weekday morning to avoid large weekend and school-group crowds that build later in the day.
• Which entrance/access: the museum sits beside Yongsan Park - plan your approach from Ichon/Yongsan area so you can walk through the museum grounds and gardens en route to the main entrance.
• What people miss & practical note: the museum's permanent galleries are free of charge (special exhibitions may require a fee), and visitors often overlook the outdoor sculpture garden and grounds-set aside time to walk the exterior spaces for a quieter experience.