The National Museum of Korea is the largest museum in Korea. It showcases important cultural assets of Korea from prehistoric times through modern day. The museum opened on October 28, 2005 on the grounds of Yongsan Family Park.
Many of the pieces found at the National Museum Of Korea today were first located at the Imperial Household Museum at Changgyeonggung Palace. This museum was established in 1909 by Emperor Sunjong.
During the Korean War, many of the museum’s pieces were relocated south to Busan for safety purposes. After the war, the pieces were returned to locations at Gyeongbokgung Palace and Deoksugung Palace.
On July 19, 1972, the National Museum of Korea was established in a new building on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung. It was moved again in 1986 to the Japanese General Government Building near
It contains over 310,000 pieces of which 15,000 are on display at any given time. The size of the building is 295,500 square meters (3.1 million square feet) making it the sixth largest museum in the world. As of June 2012, there are 67 national treasures, 131 general treasures, and 4 folklore assets housed here.
Level 1F
Prehistory and Ancient History : Korean culture and development from prehistoric times through the Unified Silla period (668–935) to Balhae Kingdom (698–926). 10,000 works are on displays through 10 rooms.
Medieval and Early Modern History : 500 works from the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392) across three rooms and 400 works from the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897) across five rooms.
Level 2F
Donated Works : Over 800 donated pieces across eleven rooms. Pieces are from various benefactors from around the world.
Calligraphy and Painting : 800 works of Korean traditional paintings, Buddhist paintings, and calligraphy across four rooms.
Level 3F
Asian Art : Five rooms with 970 pieces of art and relics that represent unique aspects of the culture of Asia. Rooms include India and Southeast Asia, Central Asia, China, Japan, and a shipwreck collection.
Sculpture and Crafts : Buddhist sculptures, metal arts, and ceramics including Pensive Bodhisattva, national treasures number 78 and 83.
National Museum of Korea Information
Hours
Museum
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (last entry at 5:30 PM)
Wednesday and Saturday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM (last entry at 8:30 PM)
Closed on: January 1st, Seollal, and Chuseok
Outdoor Exhibition Area
Monday - Sunday: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Admission
Free, except for special exhibitions.
Address
137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
GPS Coordinates: 37.524044, 126.979857
How to Get Here
Take Subway Line 4 or Jungang Line to Ichon Station. There is a direct connection to the museum before you go up the escalators near exit 2.
National Museum of Korea Video
Map
Official Website
Additional Resources
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Book Recommendations
For an immersive guide to Seoul, many travelers choose to bring a book along. Fodor's Seoul, for example, offers detailed recommendations on sights, restaurants, maps, and travel tips.
Nearby Sights
Yongsan Family Park
Once a golf course for the United States military, Yongsan Family Park has become an oasis and a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The large park, which features wonderful wide open green spaces and trees, is situated right next to the National Museum of Korea just south of Mt.
Yongsan Electronics Market
Yongsan Electronics Market is a collection of over 5,000 electronics and office equipment markets and stores spread across 20 buildings. If it has to do with technology, then odds you will find it here at one of the nearly thousands of independent stores in the area. Korea is not well known for having cheap gadgets.
War Memorial of Korea
The War Memorial of Korea is a large memorial that commemorates the victims of the Korean War and other wars throughout the history of the country. When the memorial was opened on June 10, 1994 it was the largest of its kind in the world. It took the hard work and research of countless numbers of experts from all different fields to make this museum possible.
Itaewon
Itaewon is foreigner friendly international district popular for international cuisine restaurants, shops, bars, and clubs that cater to foreigners. The district is located in Yongsan-gu just south of Myeongdong and north of the Hangang River. The best time to visit Itaewon is during the evenings and on the weekends when locals, foreigners, and American soldiers flock here to shop, eat, and party.
Yongsan Flea Market
Yongsan Flea Market is a weekend flea market specializing in used and second hand computer and electronic supplies and accessories at affordable prices. If you are looking for hard to find used or discontinued electronics items, then start your search here. The market is located inside blocks 19 and 20 of Najin Mall (Najin Sangga) and out front of Sunin Plaza (Seonun Sangga) at Yongsan Electronics Market.
Banpo Bridge (Moonlight Rainbow Fountain)
Banpo Bridge, the location of the Moonlight Rainbow Show, is a girder bridge that spans the Hangang River connecting the districts of Seocho and Yongsan. Construction on the double decker bridge was completed in 1982. The real reason people come here is to see the falling and dancing water, lights, and music of the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain show.
Last Updated on Mar 11, 2025