'Center of Korean Literature' National Korean Literature Museum Groundbreaking... "Target Opening in 2026"

Minister Yoon In-chon "Hope to Become a Central Institution for Korean Literature"
Meeting with Literary Organizations After Groundbreaking Ceremony
Discussing Support Plans Focused on Literature and Translation

The National Museum of Korean Literature breaks ground five years after the project was initiated.

Yoon In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is taking a commemorative photo with officials after signing a business agreement between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH) for the construction of the National Korean Literature Museum at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, last January.
[Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism] [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the afternoon of the 20th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Museum of Korean Literature will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at the construction site of the National Museum of Korean Literature in Jingwan-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. Minister Yoo In-chon will visit the site along with heads of major domestic literary organizations, donors of literary materials, and local residents to celebrate the groundbreaking of the National Museum of Korean Literature, followed by a meeting with key figures from the literary community at the nearby Eunpyeong History Hanok Museum.

The National Museum of Korean Literature is planned to open in the second half of 2026. It will be built in Jingwan-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, on a site of 13,248㎡ with a total floor area of 14,993㎡, consisting of two basement floors and two above-ground floors. The museum will feature ▲ permanent and special exhibition halls showcasing the past, present, and future of Korean literature ▲ outdoor gardens where visitors can relax ▲ educational and experiential spaces as well as a multipurpose auditorium ▲ and storage facilities. In particular, the buildings themed around "the appearance of the village" combined with views of Bukhansan Mountain will offer visitors a unique experience.

Following the groundbreaking ceremony, the National Museum of Korean Literature plans to accelerate preparations for its opening by forming an advisory group composed of experts in construction, exhibition space planning and operation, literary materials, and exhibition content. The museum will also continuously develop exhibition content through research on authors and works.

After attending the groundbreaking ceremony, Minister Yoo In-chon will meet with literary figures to discuss the vision of the National Museum of Korean Literature, plans for its opening and exhibition preparations, as well as focused support measures for literature and translation.

Aerial view of the National Korean Literature Museum
[Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]

The meeting will be attended by representatives from literary organizations such as the International PEN Korea Center, the Korean Writers' Association, the Korean Novelists' Association, the Korean Poets' Association, the Korean Sijo Poets' Association, the Korean Modern Poets' Association, the Korean Literature Museum Association, and the Korean Literary Critics Association, as well as translation-related personnel including officials from the Literature Translation Institute of Korea.

Prior to this meeting, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held two rounds of consultations with literary stakeholders and two rounds with translation stakeholders from April to May to gather opinions.

At this meeting, various support measures will be discussed based on the previous consultations, including ▲ strengthening support for literary and critical journals to promote literary diversity ▲ supporting young writers in publishing literary journals and anthologies ▲ hosting the (tentatively named) Korea Literature Festival ▲ establishing children and youth literature weeks and literary stages during the festival ▲ supporting activation of literary programs such as cooperative programs with regional literature museums, literary exhibitions, and performances ▲ holding Korean Literature Day and supporting Korean literature bookshelves at overseas Korean Cultural Centers ▲ opening advanced translation courses linked with overseas universities and Sejong Institutes ▲ and providing legal and translator support during contract signing processes.

Minister Yoo In-chon stated, "With the groundbreaking ceremony of the National Museum of Korean Literature, a long-cherished project of the literary community, we will implement support policies tailored to each stage and participant, from creation to publication and presentation, to promote Korean literature. I hope the National Museum of Korean Literature will become the central institution and space for Korean literature where writers, critics, regional literature museums nationwide, and readers can actively interact."

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