SEOUL, 2 July (BelTA - Yonhap) - The National Museum of Korea in Seoul
welcomed over 2.7 million visitors in the first half of this year, its
highest half-yearly tally since relocating to its current Yongsan site
in 2005, the museum said Wednesday.
The museum recorded 2,708,892 visitors between January and June, marking a 64.2 percent increase from about 1.65 million visitors in the same period last year.
"The number is the largest in 20 years since the museum relocated to its current location in Yongsan in 2005," the museum stated in a press release.
Visitors view Joseon-era ceramics on display during a special exhibition at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on June 9, 2025. (Yonhap)
Visitors view Joseon-era ceramics on display during a special exhibition at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on June 9, 2025. (Yonhap)
Prior to its permanent home in Yongsan, the National Museum of Korea was located at various places across Seoul, including Gyeongbok Palace.
The number of foreign visitors also saw a steady increase, with a record 97,985 international guests in the first half, surpassing the previous record of 94,951 set last year.
Following a significant decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, foreign visitor arrivals have been on a recovery trend since 2023.
Museum officials attributed the surge to the global appeal of Korean Wave content extending into traditional culture.
"The museum is drawing attention as the center hub of Korean culture amid the steady increase in foreign visitors," one official said, requesting not to be named.
The museum recorded 2,708,892 visitors between January and June, marking a 64.2 percent increase from about 1.65 million visitors in the same period last year.
"The number is the largest in 20 years since the museum relocated to its current location in Yongsan in 2005," the museum stated in a press release.
Visitors view Joseon-era ceramics on display during a special exhibition at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on June 9, 2025. (Yonhap)
Visitors view Joseon-era ceramics on display during a special exhibition at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on June 9, 2025. (Yonhap)
Prior to its permanent home in Yongsan, the National Museum of Korea was located at various places across Seoul, including Gyeongbok Palace.
The number of foreign visitors also saw a steady increase, with a record 97,985 international guests in the first half, surpassing the previous record of 94,951 set last year.
Following a significant decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, foreign visitor arrivals have been on a recovery trend since 2023.
Museum officials attributed the surge to the global appeal of Korean Wave content extending into traditional culture.
"The museum is drawing attention as the center hub of Korean culture amid the steady increase in foreign visitors," one official said, requesting not to be named.
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