You can find the National Hangeul Museum to the southeast of the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan. Established on the grounds of the National Museum of Korea, it opened its doors on October 9, 2014. While smaller in scale compared to the nearby National Museum of Korea, this museum has a charming atmosphere, focusing on organizing and exhibiting content related to Hangeul.
“The National Hangeul Museum in Seoul Yongsan”
The National Hangeul Museum is a four-story institution, but only the 2nd and 3rd floors are used for exhibition purposes. Notably, a large staircase is installed in front of the main entrance on the 2nd floor. Upon ascending the stairs, you enter the 2nd floor, where the first things you’ll notice are a cafe and a souvenir shop. The 4th floor is designated for staff use, and on the 1st floor, you’ll find a library.
“The Museum Exhibiting Content Related to Hangeul”
True to its name, the National Hangeul Museum displays and organizes content related to Hangeul. The permanent exhibition on the 2nd floor covers the period from the use of Idu and Hyangchal before the creation of Hangeul to discussions about Hangeul computerization and font development in the early 20th and 21st centuries.
The exhibition spans modern times, addressing the designation of Hangeul as the national script, its suppression during the Japanese occupation of Korea, and the efforts of various individuals to preserve Hangeul. The display also delves into the process of Hangeul computerization, featuring inventions like Song Kiju’s four-row keyboard and Gong Byeongwoo’s three-row keyboard, both developed during the modern era. The narrative extends to contemporary font usage.
“3rd Floor: Special Exhibition Room”
On the 3rd floor, you’ll find the special exhibition room. As the exhibitions change regularly, you can check the detailed content on the National Hangeul Museum’s official website
- [National Hangeul Museum]: https://www.hangeul.go.kr/main.do
“1st Floor: Hangeul Library”
Descending to the 1st floor, you’ll discover the Hangeul Library. While it covers most fields, being situated within the Hangeul Museum, it predominantly focuses on materials related to Hangeul. The library is not very large, and the reading room space is relatively small, making it less convenient for extended stays.
“Seoul Yongsan, Hangeul Museum”
- Address: 139 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
- Phone: 02-2124-6200
- Operating Hours: (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun) 10:00 – 18:00, (Sat) 10:00 – 21:00
- Closed: January 1, Lunar New Year’s Day, Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) Day
- Website: https://www.hangeul.go.kr/main.do