South Korea to build 4 museums in Sejong by 2028

Aerial view of the National Museum Complex of Korea in Sejong (National Agency for Administrative City Construction)

Four new museums will be established in the National Museum Complex of Korea in Sejong by 2028, while a National Museum Storage Facility cluster will be created in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, to better manage cultural assets.

The projects are part of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's four-year plan aimed at expanding the country's museum and art gallery infrastructure while improving cultural heritage management and accessibility, announced Thursday.

The Culture Ministry also announced plans to reform the art donation tax payment system, which allows individuals to pay inheritance tax using cultural properties or artwork instead of cash. The revised system aims to broaden the range of eligible works of art.

The new museum expansion plan sets out three main goals -- making museums and galleries central spaces for enjoying national culture, revitalizing local culture and regional tourism and advancing future-oriented cultural institutions accessible to all.

The role of museums in collection, preservation, research and exhibition will be boosted with key strategies that include improving museum infrastructure, supporting digital archiving and boosting professional training for museum staff.

Starting next year, the Culture Ministry will transfer the responsibility for conducting feasibility studies on public museums to local governments, giving them greater autonomy. It will also revise the museum certification process and introduce new models for museum operations.

The National Museum Complex of Korea in Sejong will see new institutions over the next few years. These include a National Urban Architecture Museum by 2026, a Design Museum and a Digital Cultural Heritage Center by 2027, and the National Archives Museum by 2028.

The Culture Ministry also aims to expand educational programs for children, senior citizens and multicultural families, including the creation of specialized services for disabled individuals.

Furthermore, the plan outlines the integration of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and immersive digital experiences to enhance visitor engagement.

"By making museums and art galleries more inclusive, sustainable and community-focused, we are ensuring that all citizens can engage with culture in meaningful ways, regardless of location or background," said Song Yun-seok, director of the regional culture policy bureau at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.