The Korean Legation in the United States Listed as a U.S. National Historic Landmark "Preservation Value"

Granted Legal Status as a U.S. Federal Cultural Heritage
Also Highly Rated for Recreating Historical Space

The Korean Legation in Washington DC, USA, has been designated as a U.S. National Historic Site. On the 11th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced that it confirmed this fact from the National Park Service, which is under the U.S. Department of the Interior. The official designated name is ‘Old Korean Legation’.

U.S. National Historic Sites are districts, buildings, structures, or objects registered under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The criteria for registration are based on historical significance or artistic value.

The Korean Legation was granted legal status as a federal cultural heritage site in the United States on the 22nd of last month after a public consultation process by the National Park Service. It is a site of Korea-U.S. diplomatic history located in Washington DC and was recognized for its core value as a very important place in American history. The restoration and remodeling work that recreated the historical space also influenced its registration.

This achievement was accomplished through collaboration between the Cultural Heritage Administration, the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other related agencies. In March, an application for designation as a U.S. National Historic Site was submitted to the Washington DC authorities where the Korean Legation is located. The Washington DC Historic Preservation Review Board, which reviewed the application, concluded that it met the criteria for designation as a U.S. National Historic Site.

An official from the Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "It was evaluated as having outstanding value in terms of interpretation and preservation as a unique historical space related to ethnic minorities in the U.S.," adding, "Especially, the high score was given for preserving the original form of the building while refurbishing the exhibition space to recreate the historical environment."

The Korean Legation was built in 1877. The Korean Empire dispatched diplomatic staff in 1888 and established a permanent legation in the building in February of the following year. It was used as the Korean Empire’s legation for 16 years until November 1905, when diplomatic rights were taken away by Japan under the Eulsa Treaty. Japan forcibly purchased the building and sold it to an American in 1910.

The Cultural Heritage Administration purchased the building in 2012, which had been used as offices for the Truck Drivers Union and the National Association of Colored Women. After research, restoration, and remodeling, it opened as a historical exhibition hall in 2018. The first and second floors were created as restored and recreated spaces based on historical documents and photographs excavated domestically and internationally, and the third floor was set up as an exhibition space showing Korea-U.S. relations through panels and video materials. English and Korean guides are stationed six days a week, and the site is open to visitors free of charge.

Buildings designated as National Historic Sites receive tax reduction benefits. They can also receive support from the Save America’s Treasures fund related to protection and preservation. This is a public-private partnership fund led by the U.S. government aimed at protecting and preserving buildings, artworks, publications, and other items of historical value.