| Name | National Museum of Korea |
| Korean Name | 국립중앙박물관 |
| Address | 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul |
| Nearest Station | Ichon Station, Line 4 or Gyeongui–Jungang Line, Exit 2 |
| Opening Hours | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Wed, Sat: 9:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. See closure dates below. |
| Admission | Permanent galleries: free. Paid special exhibitions have separate tickets. |
| Reservation | Online booking is required for the Children’s Museum and the VR experience in Immersive Digital Gallery 2. |
| Best For | Korean history, Buddhist art, ceramics and souvenirs based on cultural objects |
The National Museum of Korea’s permanent galleries are free. You can see the collection without buying a special-exhibition ticket, but a few activities need a reservation.
September 2026 closures: The galleries and indoor facilities are closed on September 7 for maintenance; the outdoor exhibition area remains open. The museum is also closed on September 25 for Chuseok. See the September closure notice and official visitor information.
What can you see during the renovation?
Start with the Room of Quiet Contemplation on the second floor. It displays two seated, pensive bodhisattva statues from the late sixth and early seventh centuries. Both are Korean National Treasures. The museum asks visitors to stay quiet in this room. See the museum’s introduction.
For ceramics, head to the Celadon Gallery, Room 303, and the Buncheong Ware and White Porcelain Gallery, Room 304. These third-floor galleries remain open during the renovation. They make useful stops if you are more interested in objects and design than a long historical timeline.
Several other galleries, including Buddhist sculpture and metal crafts, are closed through January 28, 2027. Do not plan your visit around those rooms. The official gallery guide lists the affected rooms and the planned reopening date.
What needs a reservation or a separate ticket?
The Children’s Museum is free but requires an online reservation. The VR experience in Immersive Digital Gallery 2 also requires online booking. Use the museum’s Reservations & Ticketing page for both.
For a paid special exhibition, check its individual listing for prices and booking arrangements. Free admission to the permanent collection does not include a ticket to a paid exhibition. Browse the current exhibitions before choosing one.
Where can you buy museum souvenirs?
The main museum shop is beside the Great Hall on the first floor of the West Wing. It sells cultural merchandise, household items, crafts and books. If Korean design is part of the reason you are visiting, allow time to browse: the range includes products inspired by objects in museum collections.
The museum also has a MU:DS brand showroom on the third floor. Its listed hours are 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., with a noon–1 p.m. closure, so do not assume it stays open for the museum’s late Wednesday and Saturday sessions. Check the official facilities guide for shop and showroom details.
How do you get there?
The museum is in Yongsan. Take Line 4 or the Gyeongui–Jungang Line to Ichon Station, Exit 2. Museum Nadeulgil, an underground passage, links the station with the museum grounds. The museum’s subway directions show the route.
Information checked against official museum pages on September 6, 2026.