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.
Hours
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday : 9:00-18:00Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday : 9:00-19:00
Ticket office closes 1 hour before closing time.