National Museum of Korea Positioned Within the Top 3 Most Attended Museums Worldwide
Between K-pop music and K-drama series, Korean culture appears to have permeated every part of the globe. However, this nation’s heritage encompasses far more than its popular cultural exports. From detailed ancient artistry to charming contemporary design, Korea boasts centuries of abundant arts and culture. No other venue encapsulates the diverse elements that constitute Korea’s cultural narrative like the National Museum of Korea in Seoul. It is this diligence, coupled with the eagerness shared by both locals and tourists to discover more, that has positioned it as the third most-visited museum globally.
Founded in 1945, the National Museum of Korea preserves and highlights the archaeology, history, and art of this Asian country. Its current site in Yongsan Family Park was inaugurated in 2005, and its expansive structure is the outcome of a partnership between architect Robert Siegel and Korean firms Samoo Architects & Engineers and Kunwon International Architects, which collectively aimed to create a modern interpretation of traditional Korean architectural styles.
Its global ranking was revealed in The Art Newspaper’s compilation of the top 100 museums and art galleries based on attendance. With 6,507,483 visitors in 2025, the National Museum of Korea secured the third position, following the Louvre Museum in France and the Vatican Museums in Vatican City. Notably, it also outperformed two internationally renowned institutions, with the British Museum coming in fourth and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in fifth.
“The National Museum of Korea’s primary location in Seoul surged by over 70%, from 3.8 million in 2024 to 6.5 million in 2025,” the report indicates. “This marks one of the most significant increases in absolute figures we have ever recorded…It appears that the global excitement for Korean culture is leading to museum visits by both locals and tourists.”
This achievement extends far beyond simple association, but the museum’s proactive endeavors to engage in the discourse are acknowledged. They have partnered with K-pop sensations like BTS and BLACKPINK. Their gift shop MU:DS also experienced an uptick in visitors seeking merchandise inspired by traditional aspects featured in the popular animated film KPop Demon Hunters, including gat (the hat worn by the Saja Boys) mugs, pens, and keychains, along with magpie and tiger-themed accessories.
Moreover, the interest from both the museum and the public in the art remains vibrant. A case in point is the success of a special exhibition dedicated to the 16th-century admiral Yi Sun-sin, which set an attendance record for cultural heritage-themed exhibits, attracting over 400,000 visitors.
The museum provides free entry to its permanent exhibits and offers English guided tours for international guests. To organize your visit and find out more, explore the National Museum of Korea website.