The National Palace Museum of Korea has announced plans to construct its first branch facility in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, with an anticipated completion date of 2030. The new museum will be dedicated to showcasing royal heritage artifacts from the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire, marking a significant expansion of the country's cultural preservation efforts.
Museum officials revealed that they will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Hwaseong city government and the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) at Hwaseong City Hall to advance the project. This partnership represents a collaborative effort between national cultural institutions and local government to bring Korea's royal history closer to the public.
The planned facility will span approximately 25,000 square meters of land within a residential development district strategically located near Yungneung and Geolleung, the historic royal tombs of King Jeongjo, who ruled from 1776 to 1800, and his father, Crown Prince Sado, who lived from 1735 to 1762. The surrounding area also features Yongju Temple, which was constructed to honor the memory of the late crown prince, creating a comprehensive historical district.
Authorities selected Hwaseong as the location after conducting a thorough review of several potential sites around the UNESCO-listed royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. The decision was based on the city's deep historical connections to the royal family and its promising future development potential. Museum officials emphasized that the site represents an ideal location for visitors to experience Korea's rich royal heritage firsthand.
The new branch will hold the distinction of becoming the first national museum established in southern Gyeonggi Province. One of its most innovative features will be an "open storage" facility that will allow visitors to observe artifacts while they are being preserved and maintained. This unique approach will provide the public with unprecedented access to royal relics and offer insights into the museum's conservation processes.
The construction timeline targets completion by 2030, with the museum expected to welcome its first visitors between 2031 and 2032. The additional time will be necessary for the careful installation and preparation of the collections that will be housed in the new facility.
The main National Palace Museum, which opened its doors in 2005 and is situated within Seoul's historic Gyeongbok Palace, currently faces significant space limitations. The museum houses invaluable treasures including the Water Clock of Changgyeong Palace, royal portraits, and imperial seals. However, its storage capacity has exceeded 160 percent, creating an urgent need for expansion. Despite its extensive collection, only approximately 3 percent of the museum's artifacts are currently accessible to public viewing, highlighting the critical importance of this new branch facility in making Korea's royal heritage more widely available to both domestic and international visitors.
