Barrier-Free Environment and Expanded Amenities for a Comfortable Literature Museum for All
From 'Viewing' to 'Participating': Introduction of Interactive Exhibitions
Strengthening the Role of Local Literature with Book Caf? and Special Exhibitions
Celebrating its 24th anniversary, the Kim Yujeong Literature Village has undergone a comprehensive remodeling to ensure that everyone can comfortably enjoy literature.
Chuncheon City (Mayor Yuk Donghan) was selected for the 'Open Tourism Destination' project, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, and has completed the overall remodeling of the Kim Yujeong Literature Village. The reopening is scheduled for next month.
The core of this project is to transform the Kim Yujeong Literature Village into an inclusive cultural space for all by improving barrier-free pathways, expanding convenience facilities, and introducing participatory exhibition content.
Through this Open Tourism Destination project, the city has significantly enhanced visitor convenience and space utilization. Existing ramps and pedestrian environments have been improved, and facilities for people with disabilities have been upgraded to strengthen mobility for wheelchair users. New amenities such as a book caf?, nursing room, and infant lounge have been established, creating an environment where all visitors, including families with young children, can enjoy the space without restrictions. The function of the village has been expanded beyond a place to appreciate literature, becoming a cultural space where anyone can stay comfortably.
The main exhibition spaces, the Memorial Exhibition Hall and the Story House, have been reorganized to focus on interactive content with barrier-free access in mind. The Memorial Exhibition Hall spotlights 'The Life and Death of Kim Yujeong' as its central theme, providing a multidimensional look at the writer's life through areas such as 'Yujeong Hill' and 'Yujeong's Room.' 'Yujeong Hill,' which interprets Kim Yujeong's life through paintings, features an audio guide system so that visually impaired visitors can fully appreciate the meaning of the works.
The Story House differentiates itself from the Memorial Exhibition Hall by focusing on Kim Yujeong's literary world and his activities as a writer. The entrance lobby has been transformed from a simple information area into a complex cultural space combining a reading area, a goods zone, and video content. The introduction of audiobooks, braille manuscripts, and writing experiences has broadened the range of ways visitors can engage with the exhibits.
In particular, a new barrier-free animation titled 'May Valley' has been produced, offering content that allows visitors to see, hear, and feel Kim Yujeong's literature set against the backdrop of Sille Village.
Through the remodeling, the Kim Yujeong Literature Village has also strengthened its role as a public literature museum highlighting local literature. Previously underutilized outdoor spaces have been transformed into the book caf? 'Chuncheon Writers' Library,' operating as an open reading space where visitors can freely read works by Chuncheon writers.
Inside the Story House, a new 'Cha Sangchan Special Exhibition' area has been created to highlight Cha Sangchan, a journalist from Chuncheon who helped Kim Yujeong debut in the literary world. This exhibition is designed to provide a broader perspective, encompassing not only Kim Yujeong's individual literary world but also the wider scope of local literature.
A Chuncheon City official stated, "This renewal goes beyond facility improvements and expands the direction so that the literature museum can serve as an open cultural hub for the region," adding, "We will continue to develop content so that the Kim Yujeong Literature Village, which attracts 60,000 visitors annually, can be experienced in diverse ways by different generations and visitors."
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