The Korean Legation in the United States Draws Closer to the Korean-American Community

Cultural Heritage Administration Operates Shuttle Bus and Exploration Programs

The Korean Legation in Washington D.C.'s Logan Circle is becoming closer to the local Korean community. The Cultural Heritage Administration and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation announced on the 1st that they will operate a free shuttle bus and exploration program called "Meeting Korea in America" for overseas Koreans living nearby.

The former program was organized through the collaboration of the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation's U.S. office, the Washington Korean Community Center, and the Washington Regional Council of Korean Schools in America. From this month until November, it will be held on the second Wednesday and Saturday mornings each month for overseas Koreans residing in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The latter program will take place in May and October. Participants will visit not only the Legation but also the Seo Jae-pil Memorial Hall and nearby overseas historic sites, providing an opportunity to experience the history of Korea-U.S. friendship.

The Legation building was used as the Korean Legation to the United States during the late Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire period. It was purchased in 1891 and holds our history until it was forcibly sold to the Japanese colonial government in 1910. Afterward, it was privately owned until October 2012, when it was acquired by the Cultural Heritage Administration. Following five years of data collection, restoration, and remodeling, it reopened as a historical exhibition hall in May 2018. By the end of last year, it had welcomed 13,371 Korean visitors and 6,899 foreigners, totaling 20,270 visitors, establishing itself as a K-Public Heritage (our cultural heritage that shares historical and cultural value with the host country).