Reopening of Cultural Heritage Indoor Facilities Including the National Palace Museum on the 6th

by Lee Jonggil

Published 01 May.2020 21:40(KST)

Only the freely accessible areas of Deoksugung Seokjojeon are open to the public

On the 27th, the National Palace Museum in Jongno-gu, Seoul, which was closed due to the spread of COVID-19, is quiet. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jonggil Lee] The National Palace Museum, Deoksugung Jungmyeongjeon and Seokjojeon, which were closed due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), will reopen after 72 days. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 1st that it will reopen twenty-two indoor viewing institutions and facilities under its jurisdiction, which had suspended operations since February 25th, on the 6th.

The facilities include the National Palace Museum, Deoksugung Jungmyeongjeon and Seokjojeon, Changgyeonggung Greenhouse, King Sejong History and Culture Hall, Natural Monument Center, Admiral Yi Sun-sin Memorial Hall, Chilbaek's Tomb and Manin's Tomb Memorial Halls, Marine Relics Exhibition Hall, National Intangible Heritage Center, and ten history and culture halls within the Joseon Royal Tombs. However, only freely accessible areas of Deoksugung Seokjojeon will be opened. Areas requiring guided tours will open in line with the resumption of palace and royal tomb guided tours.

The institutions and facilities reopening will only allow individual visits. Visitors will be required to wear masks and undergo temperature checks before entry. The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, “We plan to limit the number of visitors to prevent crowding and guide the viewing flow in one direction.” They added, “Plans for resuming group visits, education programs, and palace and royal tomb guided tours will be announced separately.”