Record-Breaking Attendance, Fueled by Special Exhibitions and Collections, Marks Significant Milestone

Courtesy of National Museum of Korea

In 2023, the National Museum of Korea (NMK) and its 13 regional counterparts across South Korea collectively welcomed a total of 10,471,154 visitors, surpassing the 10 million milestone for the first time. 

▲ Courtesy of National Museum of KoreaAccording to officials from the state-run institution, the annual attendance figure marked a 17.1 percent increase compared to the previous year and exceeded the 2019 record of 9,980,837 visitors.

NMK attributes the surge in attendance to the regular hosting of special exhibitions, notably those featuring collections donated by the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee. Lee, known for his extensive collection of Korean and contemporary art, contributed significantly to the increased footfall at museums, with a noteworthy impact on institutions such as the Daegu National Museum and Cheongju National Museum, both witnessing over a 30 percent annual attendance rise in 2023.

Foreign visitors also played a role in achieving the record-breaking milestone, with their attendance at regional museums last year showing a threefold increase from the previous year.

Breaking down the figures, the National Museum of Korea in central Seoul's Yongsan reported the highest overall number of visitors at 4,180,285, followed by the Gyeongju National Museum with 1,340,032, the Daegu National Museum with 805,883, and the Buyeo National Museum with 640,207.

Yoon Sung-yong, the Director-General of the National Museum of Korea, characterized the achievement of the 10 million mark as a testament to the world-class status of South Korea's museums.

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Joy, nunimbos@gmail.com