National Design Museum to Be Established in 2028... Inauguration of the Opening Committee Today

Chairman Lee Soon-jong, Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University

On the 23rd, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism appointed thirteen members to the National Design Museum Opening Committee at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul branch conference room.

The committee includes experts in design, fashion, and Hanbok fields such as Lee Soon-jong, Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University, appointed as chairman by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Oh Chang-seop, Professor of Industrial Design at Konkuk University; Jung Byung-kyu, CEO of 'Jung Byung-kyu Design'; Choi Sung-ho, President of the Korean Public Design Association; Geum Ki-sook, Director of the Yugeum Wadang Museum; and Kim Young-jin, Hanbok designer.

Also named were Kim Sung-hee, Director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, who has been preparing for the opening; Jang Sang-hoon, Director of the National Folk Museum; Jang Dong-kwang, President of the Korea Craft & Design Foundation; and Shin Eun-hyang, Arts Policy Officer at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The National Design Museum will be constructed within the National Museum Complex in Sejong City, with a total floor area of 17,419㎡, consisting of two basement floors and two above-ground floors. The project budget is 102.9 billion KRW. Originally scheduled to open in 2026, the timeline was delayed by two years due to a feasibility review and other factors.

The Opening Committee serves as an advisory body to discuss key matters related to the museum’s construction, exhibitions, collection acquisition, and operations in preparation for the opening. Starting with its first meeting on this day, the committee will establish detailed plans for exhibitions and overall operations. Through collecting materials related to Korean design history and building archives, the museum plans to provide in-depth research, exhibitions, and educational programs.

Yong Ho-sung, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, "We will prepare thoroughly around the committee to ensure that the National Design Museum serves as a central hub illuminating the past, present, and future of Korean design."