National Cultural and Arts Facilities in Seoul to Resume Operations on the 19th

National Museum of Korea, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, National Theater of Korea, National Gugak Center, etc.
Suspension of performances by national arts organizations lifted... Social distancing level 2.5 remains unchanged

On the 16th, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continued in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas, the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where a COVID-19 case was confirmed, showed a deserted and quiet scene without people during its temporary closure. The National Museum of Korea announced that it would be temporarily closed due to a confirmed COVID-19 case among its staff on that day. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), national cultural and artistic facilities located in Seoul, which closed on the 8th, will resume operations on the 19th. These include the National Museum of Korea, the National Folk Museum, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, the National Library of Korea, the National Theater of Korea, the National Gugak Center, Jeongdong Theater, and Myeongdong Art Theater.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 18th that it will allow the reopening of nine national museums, art museums, and libraries in Seoul, as well as eight national performance venues. The suspension of performances by seven national arts organizations, including the National Theater Company of Korea, the National Ballet Company, the National Opera Company, the National Dance Company, the National Chorus, the Seoul Arts Center, and the Korean Symphony Orchestra, will also be lifted. However, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung branch, will be open for viewing starting from the 4th of next month due to exhibition preparations.

Social distancing level 2.5 will remain in effect. Museums, art museums, and libraries will limit the maximum number of visitors to 30% of their capacity, and performance venues will restrict seating by maintaining two seats of distance between attendees. An official stated, "We will strictly adhere to basic COVID-19 prevention guidelines such as frequent disinfection, temperature checks for visitors, managing entry lists, and wearing masks to ensure the public can use the facilities safely."