Seoul Metropolitan Area National Cultural and Arts Facilities Stretch Out

Operation Resumes at National Museum of Korea and National Folk Museum on 22nd
National Theaters and Arts Groups to Perform from 25th
'Social Distancing Level 1' Applied "Personal Hygiene Rules Must Be Followed"

On the 6th, when the 'social distancing' to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was changed to 'everyday distancing,' citizens are viewing an exhibition at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

National cultural and artistic facilities located in the Seoul metropolitan area, which had been subdued due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), are beginning to reopen.

On the 19th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that, following the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' decision to ease restrictions on the operation of public facilities in the metropolitan area, affiliated museums, art galleries, and libraries will resume operations starting from the 22nd. These include the National Museum of Korea, National Folk Museum of Korea, Museum of Korean History, National Hangeul Museum, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Gwacheon, Seoul, Deoksugung, National Library of Korea main building and Children and Youth Library, and National Library for Disabled Persons. These institutions had suspended operations since May 29 due to the spread of COVID-19.

National performance venues and national art groups will also gradually resume performances. The National Gugak Center will hold the ‘Saturday Masterpiece Performance’ on the 25th. The Korea National Ballet will present ‘KNB Movement’ on the 1st and 2nd of next month, and the National Chorus will hold the ‘Liberation Day Commemorative Choir Festival’ on the 14th and 15th of next month.

Since the COVID-19 situation has not yet ended, all venues will implement social distancing Level 1 measures. Museums, art galleries, and libraries will limit the number of visitors to 30% of their capacity. A 2-meter distance between visitors will also be maintained. In performance venues, seating will follow a one-seat gap rule, and electronic entry logs will be operated. A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official emphasized, “Visitors must wear masks at all times and comply with personal hygiene rules such as social distancing and hand washing.”

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