[AK View] Is Raising Only the NMK Parking Fee Enough?

NMK Set to Surpass 5 Million Visitors, But Overcrowding Casts a Shadow
National Museums in the US, France, Japan, and Taiwan Charge Admission
Palace and Royal Tomb Admission Fees Frozen for 20 Years Must Be Adjusted

Kyung Ho Lee Issue & Trend Team Leader

The number of visitors to the National Museum of Korea is expected to surpass 5 million this year. From January to August alone, the museum welcomed 4.32 million visitors, with 1.61 million coming during the two months of summer vacation. This figure represents a 77.5% increase compared to the same period last year. The popularity of Korean traditional culture, the Netflix animation "K-Pop Demon Hunters," and the growing trend of museum merchandise have all contributed to this surge.

However, there have also been serious side effects. Some visitors eat packed lunches and snacks inside exhibition halls, and children run around as if they are in a kids' cafe. It is not uncommon to see people taking off their shoes and lying down in various areas. Complaints have poured in, such as "Why isn't the water dispenser working?" "Why isn't water provided?" and "Is this how my taxes are being used?" A netizen who identified themselves as a National Museum of Korea exhibition staff member shared these cases in a YouTube video about the museum, saying, "There are so many unbelievably ignorant visitors that it seems excessive." The staff member appealed, "I hope more efforts will be made to improve the welfare and increase the number of cleaning staff, who work so hard to clean the museum, which gets dirty due to the large number of visitors."

Since 2008, all national museums in Korea have offered free admission. Previously, adults paid 2,000 won and teenagers 1,000 won, but these fees were abolished to "expand opportunities for the public to enjoy culture." However, after 17 years of free admission, the number of visitors has increased, and the costs and burdens of management and safety have snowballed. At the National Museum of Korea, the surge in visitors has led to an increase in security personnel, but concerns about safety accidents remain. Chronic staff shortages and budget constraints also persist in cleaning and facility maintenance. Even Director Yoo Hongjun of the National Museum of Korea has said, "Switching from free to paid admission is nearly impossible, but now it is an issue that the public must thoughtfully consider."

The issue of adjusting admission fees is not limited to national museums. Admission to Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces has been frozen at 3,000 won for adults for 20 years, while Changgyeonggung and Deoksugung Palaces charge 1,000 won. The royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty are only 500 to 2,000 won. Free admission is available for Korean nationals under 24, those aged 65 and older, and visitors wearing hanbok. Last year, 15.78 million people visited Korea's palaces and royal tombs, including a record 3.18 million foreign visitors. The economic impact is estimated at 650 billion won. This highlights the urgent need to reinvest visitor revenue into cultural heritage preservation.

While the United Kingdom has offered free admission to national museums since 2001, other countries such as the United States, France, Japan, and Taiwan charge admission fees ranging from 10,000 won to several tens of thousands of won. Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan's most famous castles, currently charges an admission fee of 1,000 yen (about 9,500 won) for non-residents, but will raise it to 2,500 yen (about 24,000 won) starting March 1 next year. The admission fee for residents will remain at 1,000 yen, and no admission fee will be charged for those under 18, regardless of residency. This is a practical decision based on the reality that, even for public services, a minimum user fee is necessary for sustainable operation.

The Cultural Heritage Administration is currently conducting a research project on adjusting admission fees. The results are expected in November or December, and public discussions on the issue may begin next year. On September 30, the National Museum of Korea raised its parking fee for the first time in 20 years. With the new rates, parking for two hours now costs 3,600 won, an increase of 1,600 won (80%). Many comments on news articles about the parking fee increase say, "Admission should be charged," and "Why are museums and art galleries in other countries paid, but only ours are free?" If we cling only to the symbolism of free admission, museums and palaces may remain "places to enjoy for free," but they cannot become "places to be respected." To restore order, protect cultural assets safely, and pass them on intact to future generations, we must consider adjusting admission fees based on social consensus. Kyung Ho Lee Issue & Trend Team Leader