National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Partially Reopens from the 6th... Visits Available by Advance Reservation Only

Exhibition view of 'Calligraphy in the Museum: Korean Modern and Contemporary Calligraphy Exhibition' at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung Branch
Photo by National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) will end its temporary closure and partially reopen its four branches in Seoul, Gwacheon, Deoksugung, and Cheongju starting from the 6th, as the domestic spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) eases and transitions to everyday quarantine measures.

The MMCA plans to allow visits only to those with prior reservations after checking body temperature and confirming mask-wearing. Reservations can be made from the 4th on the MMCA website (mmca.go.kr). To ensure safe viewing, the MMCA will not accept group visits and will limit the number of visitors per hour at each branch to implement 'distanced viewing.' Visiting hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Tuesday through Sunday, and all four branches, including the Seoul branch, will be closed every Monday.

When making online reservations, visitors must confirm the absence of fever, respiratory symptoms, and overseas travel history before booking. For safe visitor service inside the museum, sneeze guards are installed at the information desks, and hand sanitizers are provided. If a suspected case such as a visitor with fever or respiratory symptoms occurs, they will be guided to isolation areas at each branch and measures will be taken according to public health authorities' guidelines.

During the 'distanced viewing' period through online reservations, the MMCA will offer free admission. At the Deoksugung branch, visitors can see "Art Museum 書 (Seo): Korean Modern and Contemporary Calligraphy Exhibition"; at the Seoul branch, "MMCA Collection Highlights 2020+," "Axis of the Horizon," and "For You: Jenny Holzer" exhibitions; at the Gwacheon branch, "Korean Video Art 7090: Image Time Device" and "#More" exhibitions; and at the Cheongju branch, the 1st and 3rd floor open storage, visible storage, and "Cody Choi: Venetian Rhapsody - The Power of Swagger."

To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure safe viewing, disinfection inside the museums will continue, and depending on the spread of COVID-19, the number of visitors per hour may be increased and full reopening will be implemented in stages.

Yun Bum-mo, director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, stated, "Thanks to the efforts of all citizens, we are overcoming COVID-19 well, and we hope that the partially reopened museums will provide comfort and hope to the public." He added, "We ask for visitors' cooperation and interest until COVID-19 ends and the museums can fully reopen."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.