Assemblyman Lee Gae-ho: "Lee Kun-hee Chairman's Donated Artifacts Should Be Transferred to Culturally Marginalized Areas"

National Museum Should Actively Support Culturally Marginalized Areas

Proposal to Promote Artifact Loans to Regional Museums Needed

There is a growing call for the National Museum to play an active role in promoting the loan of artifacts owned by the central museum to support local museums in culturally underserved areas. It is also pointed out that transferring the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee's artifacts to these regions should be the first step toward revitalizing local museums.

According to the office of Lee Gae-ho (Democratic Party, Damyang-Hampyeong-Yeonggwang-Jangseong), a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, the National Museum of Korea currently holds a total of 437,641 artifacts.

Over the past five years, the total collection has increased by 27,345 items. Last year, the donation from the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee added 24,353 artifacts. Among these, 20,401 artifacts were concentrated at the National Museum, raising concerns about utilization and exhibition diversity.

Moreover, artifact loans have primarily been made to museums centered in the Seoul metropolitan area. As of this year, museums in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon account for 64.5% of the loaned artifacts. This figure is similar to 60.8% last year and 64.5% in 2021.

Assemblyman Lee Gae-ho stated, "As a cultural institution representing the nation, the National Museum of Korea must actively engage in revitalizing local museums. Transferring Chairman Lee Kun-hee's artifacts to local museums will greatly contribute to regional cultural development."

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