National Museum of Korea Surpasses 5 Million Visitors... "Now Ranks Among Top 5 Museums Worldwide"

Visitors Increase by 70% Compared to Last Year

The National Museum of Korea announced on October 17 that, as of October 15, its cumulative annual visitors had surpassed 5 million. This figure represents an increase of approximately 70% compared to the same period last year (about 2.9 million), marking the highest number ever recorded. The museum is being recognized as a solidified hub of traditional culture in the era of K-culture.

Entrance queue lined up in front of the permanent exhibition hall. Provided by the National Museum of Korea

According to last year’s global museum visitor rankings published by the art-specialized media outlet Art Newspaper, the world’s top five museums each recorded around 5 million visitors. As such, the National Museum of Korea is now regarded as ranking fifth globally, following the Louvre Museum, the Vatican Museums, the British Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In particular, the National Museum of Korea has seen a significant influx of foreign visitors and younger generations. The cumulative number of foreign visitors reached 185,705, and this is expected to surpass the previous record of 198,085 in 2024. Additionally, August saw a concentration of university students and young tourists, coinciding with the summer vacation and holiday season.

The combined total number of visitors to the National Museum of Korea and its 13 affiliated museums nationwide reached 11,296,254, which is close to the cumulative attendance of the 2025 professional baseball season (12,312,519 as of October 4) and far exceeds the attendance for professional soccer (1,963,301 as of October 5). This demonstrates that the public’s demand for cultural experiences has grown to rival that of sports spectatorship.

This increase in visitors is attributed to a multifaceted effort, including the renovation of exhibition spaces, the development of engaging content, and the expansion of participatory programs. Since 2021, the National Museum of Korea has innovatively revamped its permanent exhibition halls, starting with “The Room of Contemplation,” which displayed two National Treasure Gilt-bronze Pensive Bodhisattva statues side by side, as well as the “Buncheong Ware and White Porcelain Hall,” “Celadon Hall,” “Donations Hall,” “Oegyujanggak Uigwe Hall,” and “Prehistory and Ancient History Hall.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum opened a digital immersive media hall utilizing advanced technologies such as digital mapping and VR, which received a strong response. This year, it introduced “Space_Between,” a sensory exhibition room where visitors can appreciate artifacts through sight, hearing, and touch. The museum continues to expand content that allows cultural heritage to be enjoyed from various perspectives and senses.

In addition, youth participation events like “2025 National Museum of Korea Costume Play,” the performing arts festival “Museum Cultural Feast,” and the Chuseok traditional performance “The Art Spot Series,” among other cultural events and performances, also garnered significant attention.

Yoo Hongjun, Director of the National Museum of Korea, stated, “With the spread of K-culture, both domestic and international interest in traditional culture is growing, and the number of museum visitors has expanded to rival professional baseball audiences. We will continue to develop into a museum where people can enjoy culture as part of their daily lives by expanding visitor-centered exhibition content, improving the viewing environment, and strengthening the preservation and management of cultural heritage.”