'The 13th Korea-Japan-China National Museum Directors' Meeting'... Opening of the East Asian Lacquerware Exhibition

Discussion on Cooperation to Mark the Year of Cultural Exchange among Korea, Japan, and China in 2025-2026

The National Museum of Korea announced on the 9th that it held the 13th Korea-Japan-China National Museum Directors' Meeting, with participation from the Tokyo National Museum of Japan and the National Museum of China.

The National Museum of Korea announced on the 9th that it held the 13th Korea-Japan-China National Museum Directors' Meeting, with participation from the Tokyo National Museum of Japan and the National Museum of China. In the photo, from the front row left: Qian Li, Deputy Director of the National Museum of China; Kim Jae-hong, Director of the National Museum of Korea; Makoto Fujiwara, Director of the Tokyo National Museum.
[Photo by National Museum of Korea]

This is the first time the directors' meeting of the three national museums has been held in person since the COVID-19 endemic.

The meeting held on the 8th in Seoul was attended by Makoto Fujiwara (藤原誠), Director of the Tokyo National Museum, and Li Chen (陳莉), Deputy Director of the National Museum of China.

The three museums shared opinions under the theme of "Mutual Trust and Respect," agreeing to respect each country's history and culture and to develop friendly relations. To this end, they decided to operate human exchange programs among the museums and strengthen research and investigation in the field of conservation science.

Kim Jae-hong, Director of the National Museum of Korea, said, "With 2025-2026 designated as the 'Year of Korea-Japan-China Cultural Exchange,' this meeting holds great significance as the first step in preparing various events that the three countries will promote over the next two years."

In connection with this meeting, the National Museum of Korea will hold a special exhibition titled "Three Countries, Three Colors (三國三色) - Lacquerware of East Asia" starting from the 10th, highlighting lacquerware crafts from the three countries.

The meeting involving the national museums of Korea, Japan, and China was initiated by the National Museum of Korea in 2006.

The hosting rotates every two years among the museums. The next meeting is scheduled to be hosted by the Tokyo National Museum in 2026.