National Museum of Korean Contemporary History

On Sejong-daero, on the east side of Gwanghwamun Square, the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History is the national museum of Korea's modern history, from the opening of its ports in the late 19th century to the present day. Maps, documents and objects, from the route of the Provisional Government in exile to a Korean Empire passport and an Olympic torch, show how the country changed over 150 years. Admission is free and it opens on Mondays, so it pairs well with Gyeongbokgung.

History: a museum of modern Korea since 2012

The plan for a museum of contemporary history was announced in the Liberation Day speech of 2008, and the name was fixed in 2009. Construction was completed in May 2012 and the museum opened on 26 December 2012. The permanent exhibition was later redesigned, with a new history hall on the 5th floor opening in June 2020. Covering recent history, its displays have at times sparked public debate.

What to see

• Permanent exhibition (History Hall): the opening of the ports and the Korean Empire, Japanese colonial rule and the independence movement, the founding of the Republic and the Korean War, economic growth and democratisation, and Korea today, told through historical material and personal experiences.
• Key objects: items shown have included a large map of the Provisional Government's moves between Chinese cities, a passport from the Korean Empire period and a 1907 issue of the Korea Daily News. Displays may change.
• Recent everyday life: a professional football shirt, the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics torch and mascots and other objects from the recent past make good conversation across generations.
• Children's museum and special exhibitions: a separate hands-on space for children, plus changing special exhibitions.
• K-Culture Screen: a large angled screen on the outer wall shows media art every day from 06:00 to 22:00, repeating hourly. The 3D effect works best from near the lawn on Gwanghwamun Square.

Nearby

• Gwanghwamun Square: right outside, with the statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
• Gyeongbokgung and the National Palace Museum: just through Gwanghwamun Gate, an easy way to go from the Joseon dynasty to modern times.
• Jogyesa Temple: about 5 minutes' walk, the head temple of the Jogye Order in the middle of the city.
• Seoul Museum of History: around 10 minutes' walk west across Sejong-daero, good for the story of the city itself.

Tripto tips

• Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday 10:00–18:00; Wednesday and Saturday 10:00–21:00. Last entry 30 minutes before closing. Closed only on 1 January and the days of Seollal and Chuseok; open on Mondays.
• Admission: free. Pushchairs and wheelchairs are lent free at the ground-floor desk against an ID.
• Getting there: about 250 m from Exit 2 of Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), or 500 m from Exit 6 of Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3). There are only 10 parking spaces, so use public transport.
• Time needed: 1.5 to 2 hours for a thorough look at the permanent exhibition. The Wednesday and Saturday late opening keeps it from clashing with a daytime palace visit.