The National Palace Museum of Korea has announced plans to establish its first regional branch in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, with construction expected to be completed by 2030. The new facility will serve as a showcase for royal heritage artifacts from the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire, marking a significant expansion of the museum's reach beyond the capital.
Museum officials revealed that they will formalize the project by signing a memorandum of understanding with the Hwaseong city government and the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) at Hwaseong City Hall. This partnership will facilitate the development of what will become the first national museum in the southern region of Gyeonggi Province.
The proposed museum will be strategically located on approximately 25,000 square meters of land within a residential development district. The site sits near the historically significant Yungneung and Geolleung royal tombs, which house the remains of King Jeongjo, who ruled from 1776 to 1800, and his father, Crown Prince Sado, who lived from 1735 to 1762. The area also features Yongju Temple, which was constructed to honor the memory of the late prince.
Authorities selected Hwaseong as the location after conducting a comprehensive 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 prospects. Museum officials described the chosen location as an ideal setting for visitors to immerse themselves in Korea's rich royal heritage.
The new branch will feature innovative display methods, including an "open storage" facility that will allow visitors to observe artifacts while they are being preserved. This unique approach will provide the public with unprecedented access to royal relics and offer insights into the conservation process. The facility represents a modern approach to museum design that emphasizes transparency and educational value.
The construction timeline targets completion by 2030, with the museum expected to welcome its first visitors between 2031 and 2032. This timeline will allow sufficient time for the installation of exhibits and the careful preparation of the extensive collection that will be housed at the new location.
The expansion comes as the main National Palace Museum, which opened in 2005 within Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul, faces significant space constraints. The original facility currently operates at 160 percent of its intended capacity, severely limiting its ability to display its vast collection. The museum houses invaluable treasures including the Water Clock of Changgyeong Palace, numerous royal portraits, and official royal seals, but can only exhibit approximately 3 percent of its total artifacts to the public due to storage limitations.
The Hwaseong branch will help address these capacity issues while bringing royal Korean heritage closer to residents of the southern Gyeonggi Province region. The new facility is expected to become a major cultural destination that will enhance public understanding of Korea's royal history and provide greater access to the nation's most precious historical artifacts.
