Minister Hwang Hee: "Masanhang Marine New City Should Establish the Lee Kun-hee Collection Network Museum Reflecting Its Identity and Vision"

Mayor Heo Seong-mu of Changwon (right) is explaining the plan for the Changwon National Art Museum to Minister Hwang Hee of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. [Image source=Changwon City]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwang Hee visited Changwon City, Gyeongnam on the 15th to tour Masan Marine New City, the planned site for the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Changwon Branch, and held a meeting at City Hall to discuss revitalizing local culture.

Minister Hwang visited the Changwon Municipal Masan Moonshin Museum and the Masan Municipal Museum to tour the exhibition facilities and received a report on the Namparang-gil Changwon section. Afterwards, he visited the recently reopened Citizen Theater and Changdong Art Village to explore the potential for developing local cultural tourism resources based on explanations from cultural interpreters.

He then toured Masan Marine New City, the planned site for the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Changwon Branch, and the nearby Seohang District waterfront space, before visiting City Hall to hold a meeting with Mayor Heo Seong-moo, National Assembly member Choi Hyung-doo, and others to discuss plans for regional cultural development including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Minister Hwang highly evaluated Changwon’s excellent cultural tourism infrastructure and provided detailed explanations regarding the promotion of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Minister Hwang emphasized, "I fully understand the aspirations of Changwon citizens for the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, but regardless of the national or public nature, the museum to be built in Masan Marine New City must be an architectural work that embodies the history, identity, and vision of the three cities."

He said, "The Guggenheim Museum is composed of a ship shape symbolizing Bilbao’s shipbuilding industry and titanium material symbolizing the steel industry, capturing Bilbao’s past and future, creating tremendous stories and leading to urban development."

Regarding the change on the 3rd at the National Assembly, where the 500 million won feasibility study budget for the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art branch was changed to 500 million won for a study on establishing a regionally specialized cultural facility (Changwon), he said, "This has now become a concrete first step toward the national museum, and I cannot understand why Changwon citizens are so disappointed."

Minister Hwang’s visit is analyzed as a move to support Changwon City’s promotion of the National Museum construction.

Minister Hwang said, "From the beginning, there were various difficulties such as negotiations with the Ministry of Strategy and Finance in proceeding with the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art branch feasibility study. Although the name is for a regionally specialized cultural facility study, it is the start and progress of deciding what kind of museum will be included. This study can be seen as the first step toward becoming a national museum."

He added, "The value of the Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall brand is tremendous. We will promote a network museum for the Lee Kun-hee Collection’s traveling exhibitions, and one of them will be in Changwon. From the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s perspective, a national facility is necessary for the efficient management of the Lee Kun-hee Collection."

He continued, "We will spare no support to help Changwon City strengthen the competitiveness of its culture and tourism industries based on excellent resources, enhance citizens’ cultural enjoyment rights, and revitalize the local economy."

Mayor Heo Seong-moo of Changwon said, "I am grateful for the minister’s clear message. Starting with the regionally specialized cultural facility study, we will proceed well to establish a great national museum in Masan Marine New City that surpasses the Guggenheim."

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