6.5 Million Visitors at the National Museum of Korea... Yu Hongjun Says "Expanding Exhibition Space Is Urgent"

Facility Expansion and Deputy Director System Raised at Kwanhun Forum
Admission Fees to Be Considered After Introducing Reservations and CRM System

Yu Hongjun, director of the National Museum of Korea, stated that it is necessary to build a second permanent exhibition hall and expand the organization in preparation for the increase in visitors.

Yoo Hongjun, director of the National Museum of Korea, is answering questions at a Gwanhun Forum hosted by the Gwanhun Club at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. Yonhap News

In an invited lecture at the Kwanhun Forum held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 23rd, Director Yu said, "The National Museum of Korea is one of the cultural spaces most loved by the public," adding, "We are facing the challenge of expanding our facilities in line with the increase in visitors."

The National Museum of Korea holds approximately 430,000 artifacts, including 66 National Treasures and 107 Treasures. However, the exhibition space is limited to about 37,000 square meters across 50 galleries, so only about 10,000 of these artifacts are currently on display. The number of annual visitors last year exceeded 6.5 million, which ranks among the top even compared with major museums around the world.

Director Yu explained, "The current exhibition space was designed with an annual target of 2 million visitors, and the maximum daily capacity is 15,000 people," adding, "During peak seasons, more than 40,000 people enter per day." He went on to say, "It is necessary to expand not only the exhibition space but also visitor amenities such as parking lots, restaurants, and cafes."

In particular, he emphasized the need to build a second permanent exhibition hall. Director Yu said, "We need to push ahead with the construction of a second permanent exhibition hall," adding, "Personally, I am also considering the option of utilizing part of the Yongsan U.S. military base."

He also mentioned the need to expand the organization. Director Yu said, "In line with international practice, it is urgent to introduce a deputy director system," adding, "We are in close consultation with the relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety."

Yu Hongjun, director of the National Museum of Korea, is delivering a keynote speech at the Kwanhun Forum hosted by the Kwanhun Club at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 23rd. Yonhap News

Regarding the introduction of admission fees, he reaffirmed a cautious stance. He said, "The basic position of the National Museum of Korea is not to introduce admission fees for the purpose of generating revenue," emphasizing, "The purpose is to ease overcrowding and maintain order through measures such as a reservation system and the introduction of fast-track access."

The National Museum of Korea plans to establish a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and develop an integrated reservation and ticketing system, conduct a pilot operation in the first half of next year, and then decide whether to introduce admission fees. Director Yu added, "Even if admission fees are introduced, we will consider free or discounted admission for socially vulnerable groups such as students, senior citizens, and people with disabilities."

Director Yu also mentioned changes in the role of the museum. He said, "The National Museum of Korea is evolving beyond its exhibition function into a complex cultural space that brings together education, culture, and enjoyable recreation," adding, "We intend to faithfully fulfill our role as the root of K-culture."

Meanwhile, he expressed concern about the research environment in the humanities. Director Yu said, "Humanities scholars are in a structure where it is difficult for them to publish enough books that reach the general public," adding, "We need to move away from a performance evaluation system focused on academic papers and more broadly recognize general books." He continued, "If there were awards given to popular humanities books, it would help the development of the humanities."