National Museum of Korean Contemporary History updates its permanent exhibit

Korean Heritage

Published: 24 Jan. 2023, 06:00

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History updates its permanent exhibit

A section of the renewed exhibition at the History Gallery on the fifth floor of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History in Jongno District, central Seoul [LEE JIAN]

The new and improved permanent exhibition at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History in Jongno District, central Seoul, is offering an encyclopedic look into the formation of an independent Korea for its visitors in the new year.

With a fresh theme called “Independence and the Establishment of the ROK Government,” the exhibition inside the museum’s History Gallery gives a blow-by-blow account of the events leading up to the founding day of the Korean government in August 1948. Until last month, the theme had been “Independence and Division.”

“Many people have called for changes and improvements to the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History’s permanent exhibition in the past,” Nam Hee-suk, director of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History said in a statement. “So based on the resources we have gathered and studied over the past 10 years since the opening of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, as well as long consultations with experts from different fields, we came to the decision to overhaul the exhibition.”

The renewed exhibition is divided into three sections with an additional 80 historical documents and images on display.

“For the renewal, we focused on expanding the amount of historical data and photos, incorporating maps, timelines and digital displays such as video clips and touch-screen kiosks so that the process from Korea’s Liberation from Japan to the establishment of the Korean government could be explained with better flow and clarity for viewers,” Lee Do-won, curator of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, told the Korea JoongAng Daily.

Flyers with news about stationing of U.S. Forces in Korea (1945) [NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREAN CONTEMPORARY HISTORY]

New displays in the first section of the exhibition titled “Independence and U.S. Army Military Government in Korea” include flyers with news about the stationing of U.S. Forces in Korea in September 1945. The museum said that these flyers were released under the name of American Lieutenant General John Reed Hodge before the U.S. troops landed in Incheon, a port city 48 kilometers (30 miles) west of Seoul. Written in Korean, English and Japanese, it states the purpose of the U.S. military’s presence in Korea and asks for cooperation from Koreans.

Another new addition in this section is the “People’s welcome of the Provisional Government of Korea” (1945) which is the speech that Syngman Rhee (1875-1965), a politician who became the first president of Korea, made at the welcoming ceremony for the Korean Provisional Government during the Foreign Ministers’ Conference in Moscow, Russia. In the speech, he called on the Korean people to unite around him to attain full independence.

People’s welcome of the Provisional Government of Korea (1945) [NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREAN CONTEMPORARY HISTORY]

A 1947 photo album of the South Korean Interim Legislative Assembly members stands out in the exhibition’s second section “Trusteeship Controversy and Left-Right Coalition Movement.”

The interim assembly was installed under the U.S. Army Military Government in Korea, largely by those who supported the Left-Right Coalition Movement in 1946, which was a movement to unite people despite their political views in order to achieve independence.

A 1947 photo album of the South Korean Interim Legislative Assembly members [NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREAN CONTEMPORARY HISTORY]

A 1946 excerpt from “Min-sung,” translated as the “People’s Voice,” magazine relays the global political atmosphere at the time, which was hostile due to the Cold War (1947-1991).

On the cover of its April 23 issue, it presents Major General Archibald V. Arnold, head of the American delegation, and Colonel General Terenti F. Shtykov, head of the Soviet delegation, of the U.S.-Soviet Joint Commission. Also, in its Oct. 1 issue, it features an article on the escalating Cold War between the U.S. and the USSR with a picture. The piece is especially interesting as it relays Korea’s perspective and understanding of the international tension that it is caught in.

A 1946 excerpt from “Min-sung” or translated as the “People’s Voice” magazine [NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREAN CONTEMPORARY HISTORY]

The last section “Establishment of the Government of the Republic of Korea,” includes documents that show the international community’s support for Korea’s independence.

“United Nations General Assembly Resolution in November 1947 - Independence of Korea” on display was adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly held on Nov. 14, 1947. The resolution states the UN’s agreement to aid Korea in its process of establishing an independent government such as holding a free election.

“United Nations General Assembly Resolution in November 1947 - Independence of Korea” [NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREAN CONTEMPORARY HISTORY]

One of the most iconic items at the renewed exhibition is the Constitution of the Republic of Korea from 1948. Promulgated on July 17, 1948, by the Korean Constitutional Assembly, it has 10 chapters and 103 articles guaranteeing sovereignty, freedom and equality for its people. Its cover displays the preamble to the Constitution.

This last section also showcases an article by the local newspaper Chosun Ilbo published on Dec. 13, 1948, reporting that the UN has officially recognized the Government of the Republic of Korea through its General Assembly resolution.

Constitution of the Republic of Korea (1948) [NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREAN CONTEMPORARY HISTORY]

The exhibition concludes with a four-minute video clip that reenacts the day when the Korean government was established. English subtitles are available.

The History Gallery of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History is open for viewing from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays; and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays. More information can be found at much.go.kr.

A video reenacting the day that Korean government was founded is playing at the renewed exhibition at the History Gallery on the fifth floor of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History in Jongno District, central Seoul [LEE JIAN]

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]