National Museum of Korea

국립중앙박물관 (용산)

Free permanent galleries, the Pensive Bodhisattvas and museum goods

⚠ Closed Jan 1, Seollal, Chuseok

Hours

Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun 10:00–18:00, Wed & Sat 10:00–21:00; closed 1 Jan, Seollal and Chuseok days (per official info; check before going)

Tickets

Permanent galleries free, no booking; special exhibitions ticketed via the official site

Address

137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu

The vast stone building has a gap cut through its middle that frames Namsan Tower like a picture. On the second floor, the 'Room of Quiet Contemplation' is a long dim passage that ends in a chamber holding just two Pensive Bodhisattvas, and people lower their voices and sit for a long while. The permanent galleries are free and too big for one day, from Stone Age hand axes to Silla gold crowns and Goryeo celadon. Visitor numbers hit a record 6.5 million in 2025, and the queues at the museum-goods shop ('MU:DS') became news in their own right.