Old Korean Legation under review for US Register of Historic Places

The Old Korean Legation building in Washington, DC. (Korea Heritage Service)

The Old Korean Legation building in Washington, DC is expected to be registered in the US as a historic place worthy of preservation as early as mid-September.

According to a US Federal Register notice Wednesday, the National Park Service plans to gather public input on whether to recognize officially the 19th-century building on the National Register of Historic Places -- the US government list of buildings, sites and structures known for their historic or artistic value. The process will run through late August.

The Historic Preservation Review Board, which advises the mayor of the District of Columbia on preservation matters, recommended that the former Korean legation building be reviewed for inclusion following the March request for designation by the Korea Heritage Service.

Erected in 1877, the building served as the Korean legation from 1889-1905. The Korea Heritage Service turned the building into a museum in 2018, after a three-year restoration. The agency acquired the building in 2012.

If the designation goes through, the building could be eligible for US tax breaks and financial support from Save America’s Treasures. Korea Heritage Service officials said they expect little difficulty in the registration process.

By Choi Si-young(siyoungchoi@heraldcorp.com)