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| ▲ Noh Yong-wook (2nd from R), the 6 millionth visitor to the National Museum of Korea in Seoul this year, poses for a photo with his wife and daughters on Dec. 11, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ You Hong-june (4th from L), director of the National Museum of Korea, poses for a photo at the museum in Seoul on Dec. 11, 2025, as it celebrates welcoming its 6 millionth visitor in this image provided by the museum. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
national museum-visitors
National Museum draws 6 mln annual visitors, highest in 80 years
SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Yonhap) -- The National Museum of Korea has welcomed more than 6 million visitors this year, its highest annual figure since opening 80 years ago, officials said Thursday.
The museum said it reached the milestone around 2 p.m., with the number representing nearly a 4.5-fold increase from 1.34 million in 2005, when it relocated to its current site in Yongsan, central Seoul.
The cumulative number of visitors since its founding in 1945 has now surpassed 100 million.
According to the London-based The Art Newspaper, only three museums worldwide exceeded this threshold in 2024: the Louvre (8.74 million), Vatican Museums (6.83 million) and British Museum (6.48 million).
The 6 millionth visitor was identified as Noh Yong-wook, a 40-year-old resident of Seongnam, just south of Seoul, who visited with his wife and twin children.
"It's my first time at the museum," Noh said. "I'm here to see the special exhibition 'From Impressionism to Early Modernism: Collectors of Light' and the Children's Museum. I'm thrilled to be the 6 millionth visitor."
Museum director You Hong-june personally presented Noh with a commemorative gift.
The first foreign visitor after the milestone was also recognized -- A Danish national named Lasse, who said he was surprised that the museum's annual visitors roughly match Denmark's population of 6 million.
"Six million is a symbolic figure reflecting the public's trust and affection for the museum," You said in a statement. "We will continue to enhance public services and strengthen our role as the heart of Korean culture."
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