KOREAN NET

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In Chon (seventh from left) on May 20 attends the groundbreaking ceremony for the National Museum of Korean Literature in the Jingwan-dong neighborhood of Seoul's Eunpyeong-gu District. (Jeon Han)

By Park Hye Ri

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on May 20 held the groundbreaking ceremony for the National Museum of Korean Literature five years after the ministry announced its intent to build it.

The event at the Jingwan-dong neighborhood of Seoul's Eunpyeong-gu District, attracted the heads of leading domestic literary groups, donors of related resources and nearby residents. Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In Chon was also there to express his congratulations for the occasion.

The museum covers 14,993 square m with a site area of 13,248 square m and has two above- and two below-ground floors. It is slated to open in the second half of 2026.

The interior will have halls for permanent and special exhibitions featuring the past, present and future of domestic literature, an outdoor garden where visitors can rest, multipurpose auditorium and storage room.

The ministry said a panoramic view of Bukhansan Mountain combined with the museum's exterior based on the "appearance of a village" will offer a unique experience to visitors.

After the ceremony, the museum launched an advisory panel of experts in relevant fields such as construction, organization and operation of exhibition spaces, literary materials and exhibition content. It plans to expedite preparation for the opening by developing exhibition content and researching writers and their works.

"Starting with the groundbreaking ceremony for the museum, a long-awaited wish of the literary community, we will push for the necessary support policy for each stage and subject like creation, presentation and publication to promote Korean literature," Minister Yu said.

"We hope that the museum evolves into a central institution and space for Korean literature promoting active interactions among writers, critics, the nation's regional literary centers and readers."

The National Museum of Korean Literature is slated to open in the second half of 2026 in the Jingwan-dong neighborhood of Seoul's Eunpyeong-gu District. (National Museum of Korean Literature)

hrhr@korea.kr