‘Lee Kun-hee Art Museum’ Fiercely Contested by Local Governments in a High-Stakes Battle

President Moon on the 29th of last month: "Review plans to exhibit Chairman Lee's artworks"

Suwon, Yeosu, Daegu, Busan, Uiryeong, Changwon, Yongin... Nationwide city and province competition begins

The most famous work of the national artist Lee Jung-seop (1916?1956), "Bull," has been included in the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art collection. This piece (Lee Jung-seop, Bull, 1950s, 26.4×38.7cm) was donated by the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee.
[Image source=National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] The "Lee Kun-hee Collection." A fierce battle among local governments nationwide is unfolding to realize the tremendous brand power of this name on their own soil.

Attracting a collection that embodies the philosophy of the collector holds immeasurable investment value not only for tourism but also for citizens' pride. The "Lee Kun-hee Exhibition Hall" symbolizes not only the arrival of the Lee Kun-hee Collection but also the presence of "Samsung."

As cities and provinces across the country eagerly compete to host the so-called "Lee Kun-hee Art Museum," a space to exhibit the art collection donated by the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee, the issue has become so heated that some have even proposed sharing a traveling exhibition.

The family of the late Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee announced on the 28th of last month that they would donate over 23,000 art pieces from his collection to a national institution.

In response, President Moon Jae-in instructed on the 29th to consider establishing a separate exhibition room that honors the spirit of Chairman Lee's art donation. This sparked a competition among local governments to attract the museum.

Since such a large-scale donation is unprecedented, it is expected to greatly contribute not only to the protection of domestic cultural assets but also to art historical research and enhancing the public's cultural enjoyment rights.

First, Park Hyung-jun, Mayor of Busan, expressed his hope to host the museum on the 2nd via SNS, highlighting Busan's designation as an international tourist city and plans to attract a world-class art museum to the North Port, stating, "If the Lee Kun-hee Art Museum comes to Busan, it will become a shining landmark."

Uiryeong County in Gyeongnam, the birthplace of Samsung founder Lee Byung-chul, also issued a press release on the 3rd, asserting that "the Lee Kun-hee Art Museum should be hosted in Uiryeong, the hometown of Chairman Lee's predecessor," emphasizing the deep-rooted connection between the company and its founder's hometown.

On the 8th, Heo Seong-moo, Mayor of Changwon, presented the "optimal plan" at a Gyeongnam regional issue meeting, proposing the integration of the Lee Kun-hee Collection with the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Changwon branch, which has been systematically prepared over a long period.

On the same day, Jo Gyu-il, Mayor of Jinju, expressed strong determination to attract the "Lee Kun-hee Art Museum" to Jinju, stating, "Geographically, Jinju is the center of the southern region and easily accessible from both Yeongnam and Honam areas, allowing many people to enjoy cultural benefits," linking it with the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Jinju branch.

Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province also joined the race. They emphasize that attracting the Lee Kun-hee Art Museum to Yongin, where the Hoam Art Museum housing founder Lee Byung-chul's collection is located, would complete the "Samsung Collection" across generations, enabling a one-stop viewing experience.

On the 10th, Yeosu in Jeonnam launched the "Lee Kun-hee Art Museum Yeosu Attraction Committee," stating, "The Yeosu art community and civic groups have united in the name of Yeosu citizens to attract the Lee Kun-hee Art Museum to Yeosu," and began efforts to host the museum.

Suwon and Daegu have also declared their intentions to attract the Lee Kun-hee Art Museum.

Local figures in Suwon cited in media interviews that "Suwon, home to Samsung Electronics headquarters and Chairman Lee's tomb, is the optimal site for industrial tourism that can attract tourists worldwide," presenting this as the core rationale for hosting the museum in Suwon.

Above all, Daegu, the birthplace of Chairman Lee Kun-hee, is actively involved. On the 7th, Daegu City held a working-level meeting to form the "Lee Kun-hee Art Museum Daegu Attraction Promotion Committee" and began full-scale efforts to attract the museum by discussing promotion strategies.

Samsung stated, "Proper management and preservation of the donated artworks is Chairman Lee's wish," adding, "Since the competition to attract the museum could escalate into regional conflicts, the decision will be made through transparent and objective evaluation."

As the "Lee Kun-hee Exhibition Hall" holds the key to revitalizing local culture and arts as well as regional economic activation, attention is focused on the outcome of this competition.

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