FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Steven Albert
Korea Tourism Organization-New York
201-585-0909
201-585-9041(fax)
salbert@kntoamerica.com
www.kntoamerica.com

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA MARKS ITS 1ST ANNIVERSARY WITH TRADITIONAL CELEBRATIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

Fort Lee, NJ, 10/07/2006-The National Museum of Seoul Korea (“National Museum”), the sixth largest museum in the world celebrates with special Korean traditional events. At the entrance of the national museum there were Korean traditional tightrope performances by some of Korea’s top artists.

When a patron walks into the National Museum, he or she will notice a huge Buddhist shrine greeting him or her. “Large Korean antique exhibitions and large ceilings with open spaces fill up the first floor of the large national museum” Sung-Woock Cho, Executive Director of the Korean Tourism Organization, New York Office. There is an open green park in front of the entrance to the National Museum where people can admire its rich and modern architecture. Many visitors are shocked by the size of the museum. Nathan Lancaster from Michigan recalled that “even though he was only there for a few hours he could easily spend the whole day at the museum.”

The first floor of the Museum is dedicated to Korean history. The Archaeological Gallery on the first floor allows visitors to see how the culture has evolved through different prehistoric periods encompassing 4,500 prehistoric and ancient artifacts from the Paleolithic to the Balhae Kingdom. The museum also has nine exhibition halls displaying works from Goryeo period (918-1392) to the Joseon period (1392-1910). The first floor is dedicated to Korean history and culture. Visitors can see a total of 2,800 artifacts including national historical documents and literature.


Each floor of the Museum represents a different style of exhibition. The second and third floor of the Museum specializes in Korean fine art expressing the Buddhist religion and Korean culture through art work, antiques and ancient ceramic work. Many Asian citizens’ or foreign visitors from all over the world travel to the museum to see art work originating from many different Asian countries ranging from Indonesia, to China and Japan.

The Donation Gallery is located on the second floor and displays donated art work from several affluent Asian art collectors including Korean and Japanese art collectors. There are several exhibits on loan from the Louvre in Paris.

The museum appeals to people of all ages and nationalities. Guides speaking English and other languages answer any questions that a patron might have. Electronic guides are also available to describe the exhibits in detail for a minimal fee. A special hand’s on children’s exhibit makes a visit to the museum as exhilarating for children as it is for the parents.

For an abundance of information on the National Museum of Korea and the Republic of Korea contact Korea Tourism Organization (“KTO”) at 201-585-0909 ext 204.


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