The National Museum of Korea, which surpassed 6.5 million visitors for the first time last year, is drawing attention over whether it will break that record this year. With visitor numbers rising compared with the same period last year, observers say reaching 7 million should not be difficult.
The museum attracted a total of 3,255,160 visitors from January to May this year, according to the National Museum of Korea on Saturday. The figure comprised 3,133,136 domestic visitors and 122,024 foreign visitors. That marks a 45.2% increase from the same period last year, when visitors numbered 2,241,592.
Museum attendance has been rising steadily this year. In January and February, which included the winter school break and the Lunar New Year holiday, the museum drew 730,473 and 760,792 visitors, respectively, recording monthly figures in the 700,000 range for two consecutive months. That marks a sharp contrast with the same period last year, when monthly visitors ranged between 510,000 and 540,000.
From March, when the new school semester began, monthly visitors totaled 535,451 and 515,268, but in May, when family visitors are common, the figure rose again to 713,176. That amounts to a daily average of 23,000 visitors during May.
The number of foreign visitors has also been increasing this year. Foreign visitors totaled 122,024 from January to May, up about 57.8% from the same period last year, when they numbered 77,338. At the current pace, observers say the annual visitor count could reach 7 million this year.
An encouraging point is that visitors to regional museums, not just Seoul, are also rising, broadening the base. As of last month, the cumulative annual visitor count at the Gyeongju National Museum stood at 1,000,961, a 73.7% increase from the same period last year, when it was 576,104. The museum crossed the 1 million annual visitor mark 86 days earlier than in 2025 (Aug. 24). The Gyeongju National Museum ranked 39th in the "2025 World Museum Visitor Survey" compiled by the art publication The Art Newspaper.
Marking the 50th anniversary of the excavation survey of the Hwangnyongsa temple site in Gyeongju, the Gyeongju National Museum will present the special exhibition "Hwangnyongsa, Enshrining the Buddha's Sari _ Hwangnyong Bongbul" from June 12. The exhibition will introduce the findings of past surveys and research through 127 relics, centered on sarira reliquaries—ornamental objects prepared to enshrine the Buddha's relics.
The National Museum of Korea will also unveil a new exhibition from late this month. "Amazing Thailand," opening June 23, marks the first time Thai culture and art are spotlighted in Korea. It introduces the journey of Thai art from prehistoric times to the mid-20th century through 214 relics. Visitors can encounter works such as a Sukhothai-era Buddha statue that appears to depict the Walking Buddha.
An exhibition focusing on the Korean dining table and K-food is also worth noting. The "Our Table" special exhibition, running from July 1 to Oct. 25, will showcase a wide range of items, including vessels excavated from the royal tomb of King Muryeong of Baekje (reigned 501–523) and food depicted in Joseon-era genre paintings.
