Woori Bank Reopens Nation’s First Banking History Museum After Renovation: Launches Woori1899

Lim Jongryong, Chairman of Woori Financial Group, and Chung Jinwan, President of Woori Bank
Kim Sehee, Chairman of the Land Culture Foundation and descendant of Park Kyungri, attend the opening ceremony

Woori Bank has opened "Woori1899," a modern reinterpretation of its 126-year financial history, on the first basement floor of its headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul. This opening marks a complete renovation, 21 years after the bank launched the nation’s first museum dedicated to banking history in 2004.

The name "Woori1899" was chosen through an employee vote, combining "Woori" from Woori Bank and "1899," the founding year of Daehan Cheonil Bank. As part of the renovation, interior walls were removed to create an open exhibition flow. At the center of the exhibition hall, a 360-degree LED installation called the "Woori Time Sphere" has been installed.

Inside the history museum, visitors can view the "Daehan Cheonil Bank Founding Petition," which is designated as a cultural property by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, as well as a replica of "Gwangtonggwan" (currently Woori Bank Jongno Financial Center), the oldest existing bank building in Korea. Also on display are personnel records and company newsletter articles written by the late author Park Kyungri, who worked at the former Commercial Bank (now Woori Bank) in 1954. The exhibition features a global piggy bank collection corner and an "open library" stocked with books on finance, history, and culture, creating a space where parents and children can relax together.

Kim Sehee, Chairman of the Land Culture Foundation and grandson of the late author Park Kyungri (from left), Lim Jongryong, Chairman of Woori Financial Group, Chung Jinwan, President of Woori Bank, and Lee Jungseop, Executive Director of Woori Bank, are taking a commemorative photo. Woori Bank

The opening ceremony on December 11 was attended by Lim Jongryong, Chairman of Woori Financial Group, Chung Jinwan, President of Woori Bank, and Kim Sehee, Chairman of the Land Culture Foundation and a descendant of Park Kyungri. Fifteen children with pediatric cancer, who have difficulty enjoying cultural activities due to long-term treatment, were invited as the "first visitors."

Woori Bank also held an event to deliver "Warm Christmas Gifts from Wibee Santa." Chairman Kim personally handed out Park Kyungri’s fairy tale books to the children. "Woori1899" is open to the public free of charge from Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except on Sundays. In the special exhibition hall, the first featured exhibition will showcase 62 award-winning works (bronze prize and above) from the 28th Woori Bank Art Competition "Woori Art Con" from December 12 to 20.

Lim Jongryong, Chairman of Woori Financial Group, stated, "I hope Woori1899 becomes an open cultural space beloved by the public," adding, "I hope today will be a warm memory for the children and an opportunity for them to newly experience the value of finance."

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