Korea opens first contemporary history museum

Korea's first national contemporary history museum has opened in the South Korean capital of Seoul.

Although contemporary history remains a sensitive issue in the divided peninsula, the museum focusses on the period from the end of the 19th century when the nation opened its ports to the outside world to the present day.

Presenting modern Korean history in both a comprehensive and systematised way, the newly-opened National Museum of Korean Contemporary History displays around 1,500 relics that are indicative of Korean history in the arenas of politics, economy, society and culture.

Located in an eight-story building that previously housed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the museum has a floor area of 6,445 metres2 and is equipped with six exhibit halls, storage, seminar rooms, a cafeteria, a souvenir store, and a rooftop garden.

The permanent exhibition consists of four themed sections, 'Dawn of the Nation' from 1876 to 1945, 'Establishing a basis' from 1945 to 1960, 'National development' from 1961 to 1987, and 'Modernisation' from 1988 to today.

More than 3,000 metre2 of space spread across three floors has been devoted to the history of the 'Korean Miracle' - which saw the country transform itself from one of the poorest to one of the most developed countries in the world in just 60 years.

On the first floor, a video that captures Korea's significant historic political, economic, societal, and cultural moments interacts with visitors who are given an opportunity to extend their knowledge of the nation.

In addition, there is a room dedicated to past Korean presidents, displaying their portraits and workplace.

The museums roles are expanded to conduct educational programs and thorough research and studies in contemporary Korean history.

In a keynote speech at a recent symposium to mark the opening of the Museum, UNESCO Executive Board Chair Alissandra Cummins stated "it is imperative that the museum seeks out and provides access to varying interpretations of the events in contemporary history shaping the national narrative."

5th April 2011 - NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA TOPS ASIAN MUSEUM ATTENDANCES