By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
The National Museum of Korea will hold various events to mark its 100th anniversary in association with nationwide private and university museums.
As part of its centennial, the museum will host international academic forums, special exhibitions and a museum expo, while building a symbolic structure.
``Many people don't know the museum turns 100 this year, so we will promote our long history through this occasion and make the public feel closer to it,'' Choe Kwang-shik, director of the museum, said.
Korea's first museum, the Imperial Household Museum, established by King Sunjong at Changgyeong Palace, opened to the public Nov. 1, 1909, in the waning days of the Joseon Kingdom.
It was the first time a museum was open to the public. It collected and stored various artwork and relics, such as Buddhist paintings and Goryeo porcelain.
It changed its name to the Yi Royal Museum, the Yi Royal Gallery and then the Deoksu Palace Art Museum, which was finally integrated into the National Museum of Korea in 1969.
``Around 600 national and private museums will team up to host commemorative events this year,'' Choe said.
Former culture minister Lee O-young was named chairman of the commemoration project committee. And first lady Kim Yoon-ok was named honorary chairwoman.
An international academic conference will be held May 22-24; a special exhibition of the 100-year history of the museum in October and November; an international forum Nov. 3, which has invited some 10 directors from museums around the world; a museum expo in which 100 selected museums will promote their institutes in November; and a symbolic structure of a traditional pavilion topped with green celadon roofing tiles will be established, also in November.
Choe added that for visitors' convenience, the museum will connect the nearest subway station to its front gate through an underpass and extend cultural programs to embrace the underprivileged and foreign visitors.
``Since the relocation of the museum from Gwanghwamun to Yongsan, the museum has concentrated on normalizing operations. But on the occasion of its 100th anniversary, we will improve the quality of service and set up new polices to make it friendlier to the public,'' he said.
Two special blockbuster exhibitions ― the Egypt Civilization Exhibition and Inca Civilization Exhibition ― will also be held.
The Egypt Civilization Exhibition will feature 232 ancient Egyptian relics, including mummies from Vienna's Art History Museum in Austria from April to August.
The Inca Civilization Exhibition will present 300 relics including golden artwork from the National Museum of Peru.