Jeonnam Province Reports 85% Completion of Namdo Uprising History Museum... Creating a Landmark Historical and Cultural Space

Smooth Progress Toward March Opening Next Year
High Expectations for a Hub Continuing the Namdo Uprising Spirit
Exhibitions and Experiences Featuring Over 3,000 Artifacts in Preparation

Bird's-eye view of Namdo Volunteer Soldiers History Museum. Provided by Jeonnam Province.

On August 16, Jeonnam Province announced that construction of the Namdo Uprising History Museum, which is set to become a landmark symbolizing Jeonnam’s spirit of volunteer soldiers, had reached 85% completion as of August. The project is expected to be completed by the target date of November this year, with the museum opening scheduled for March 2026.

According to Jeonnam Province, the collection of artifacts and the production and installation of exhibits for the Namdo Uprising History Museum are proceeding as planned. Soon, the museum’s opening preparation team will relocate their office to the site to oversee the final stages of construction and begin full-scale preparations for the opening.

The Namdo Uprising History Museum was initiated as a key project by Governor Kim Yung-rok during the seventh popularly elected administration, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in 2019. The museum aims to reestablish the identity of the Honam region and inspire pride among residents by highlighting its role as the main center of the patriotic volunteer soldier movement.

Construction began in March 2024, with a total project cost of 42.2 billion won. The museum will feature one above-ground floor and one basement level, housing a permanent exhibition hall, a special exhibition hall, a memorial exhibition room for unnamed volunteer soldiers, a children's museum, a cafeteria, and storage facilities.

The permanent exhibition hall will showcase the history of volunteer soldiers who fought to save the nation and protect their communities, covering activities from before and after the Imjin War to the period surrounding the Korean Empire. Various sculptures and digital media will be used to present these stories.

The memorial exhibition room is designed to honor the sacrifices of ordinary people who rose up as volunteer soldiers, many of whom disappeared without even leaving their names behind. The children's museum will be an educational space where children, as future leaders, can experience the lives of volunteer soldiers from their own perspective.

The multipurpose auditorium will offer customized educational and experiential programs for different groups. The cafeteria, which overlooks the Yeongsan River, will serve as a rest area for visitors and become a new local tourist attraction.

Since 2019, a total of 3,085 artifacts related to volunteer soldiers have been collected. Major items include the 'Honam Jeoluirok', the 'Proclamation from the Uprising Base at Seokjugwan in Gurye', the 'Circular Letter of Volunteer Leader Yang Dalsa', and 'Maechon Yarok' by Hwang Hyeon. The museum plans to continue actively acquiring, receiving donations, and accepting entrusted artifacts to expand its collection for exhibition and research purposes.

Kang Hyoseok, Director of Cultural Prosperity for Jeonnam Province, stated, "The construction progress has reached 85%, and preparations for the artifact exhibitions are proceeding smoothly. We will do our utmost to ensure safety and quality management for the opening in March next year." He added, "The Namdo Uprising History Museum will not only become a representative historical and cultural space symbolizing Jeonnam’s spirit of volunteer soldiers, but also serve as a key educational venue where future generations of Jeonnam can understand the noble spirit of the volunteer soldiers and foster pride in their region."