You Hong June, the newly appointed director-general of the National Museum of Korea, announced ambitious plans to revive the renowned international exhibition "5,000 Years of Korean Art" during his first news conference on July 24, just three days after taking office at the museum in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District.

The veteran art historian described the exhibition as a showcase of domestic art that served as "the ancestor of Hallyu (Korean Wave)" and outlined his vision for bringing Korean cultural treasures back to the global stage. "We're planning a blockbuster exhibition that shows the strength of K-culture," Director-general You declared during the press conference.

The "5,000 Years of Korean Art" exhibition holds significant historical importance as the first major initiative to promote Korean culture internationally. Originally launched by the National Museum of Korea in the 1980s, the traveling exhibition has been displayed in major cultural centers across the United States, United Kingdom, and France. Director-general You characterized it as "a major catalyst for Korean art to gain recognition in the West."

However, the ambitious project will require considerable planning and international coordination. "Because we have to discuss the schedule with partner museums, the final form of the exhibition will be seen two to three years later," You explained, acknowledging the complex logistics involved in organizing such a comprehensive international showcase.

The new director envisions a significant evolution in how Korean art is presented to global audiences. Moving away from the exhibition's traditional approach, You emphasized the need for a more emotionally engaging experience. "Unlike its past practice of displaying as many artifacts as possible, the exhibition needs to evolve into one that emotionally places people at the core," he stated.

To illustrate this philosophy, Director-general You pointed to one of the museum's most successful displays: the famous Room of Quiet Contemplation. This intimate space houses only two pensive bodhisattva statues, demonstrating how fewer artifacts can create a more powerful and contemplative visitor experience.

In addition to revamping international exhibitions, You announced plans to make the museum's vast collection more accessible to the public. "We're in the process of partially opening our storage spaces so that visitors can see relics that have been kept there for a long time," he revealed. This initiative is particularly significant given that the National Museum of Korea houses approximately 440,000 artifacts, with only a fraction currently on public display.

Beyond his museum duties, Director-general You continues his work as a prolific author and educator. He announced that his latest book on Korean art history, specifically written for foreign readers, is scheduled for publication in August. This represents a strategic shift in his writing approach, as he explained: "No matter how well a book on Korean art history for Koreans is written, one intended for a foreign audience must take a completely different approach by considering international perspectives and backgrounds."

The director expressed hopes that his work will contribute to greater international understanding of Korean culture. "I hope my book is translated into foreign languages and read widely," he said, addressing what he sees as a critical gap in available resources. "People from abroad will want to come to Korea to study if books on Korean art history are available in foreign languages," You added, highlighting the lack of foreign language resources on Korean history, culture, and art.

Reflecting on his career transition, Director-general You described how his role will evolve from author to museum leader. "I've met readers through books and texts on Korean art history, but I now plan to meet the public through the National Museum of Korea's storytelling exhibitions that interact with visitors through artifacts," he explained.

You Hong June brings impressive credentials to his new position as head of the National Museum of Korea and its 13 provincial affiliates. He is widely recognized as a leading art historian, particularly known for his bestselling humanities book series "My Exploration of Cultural Heritage." His educational background includes a bachelor's degree from Seoul National University, a master's degree in art history from Hongik University, and a doctorate in art philosophy from Sungkyunkwan University.

His professional experience spans both academic and governmental roles. From 2004 to 2008, he led the Cultural Heritage Administration, which is now known as the Korea Heritage Service. Most recently, he served as chair professor of art history at Myongji University before accepting his current appointment. Throughout his career, he has published numerous books on Korean art history and cultural heritage, establishing himself as one of the country's foremost experts in the field.

The appointment of You Hong June signals the National Museum of Korea's commitment to expanding its international reach while making its collections more accessible to both domestic and foreign visitors. His plans to revive the "5,000 Years of Korean Art" exhibition, combined with his efforts to create more emotionally engaging displays and publish accessible resources for international audiences, represent a comprehensive strategy to elevate Korean art and culture on the global stage.