Capital Region National Cultural and Arts Facilities to Close Again for 2 Weeks

On the 6th, when 'social distancing' to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was shifted to 'everyday distancing,' citizens lined up to enter the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

National cultural and arts facilities in the Seoul metropolitan area will be closed again for two weeks.

On the 29th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that affiliated museums, art galleries, and libraries will be closed from 6 p.m. that day until the 14th of next month, following the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' decision to suspend operations of public facilities in the metropolitan area. These include the National Museum of Korea, National Folk Museum of Korea, Museum of Korean History, National Hangeul Museum, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (Gwacheon, Seoul, Deoksugung), and National Library of Korea (Main Library and Children & Youth Library).

National performance institutions such as the National Theater of Korea, National Gugak Center (Seoul headquarters), Jeongdong Theater, and Myeongdong Art Theater will also be closed. National arts organizations including the National Theater Company of Korea, National Ballet Company, National Opera Company, National Dance Company, National Chorus, Seoul Arts Center, and Korean Symphony Orchestra will suspend performances as well.

National cultural and arts facilities outside the metropolitan area will continue to provide services while adhering to the “distancing in daily life” guidelines. An official stated, “We will monitor the spread of COVID-19 in the metropolitan area and decide on resuming operations in consultation with the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters.”