No decision made on paid admissions for cultural sites, including National Museum, gov't says
Published: 30 Mar. 2026, 19:00
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- LIM JEONG-WON
- [email protected]
![Visitors to the National Museum of Korea pass by a display of the Daedongyeojido, Korea's first large-scale map created in the 19th century by the Korean cartographer Kim Jeong-ho, at the museum's first floor on Feb. 12. [NEWS1]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/30/424b948f-5d04-4a17-9771-83b0748c6474.jpg)
Visitors to the National Museum of Korea pass by a display of the Daedongyeojido, Korea's first large-scale map created in the 19th century by the Korean cartographer Kim Jeong-ho, at the museum's first floor on Feb. 12. [NEWS1]
The Korean government stressed that no official decision has been made to introduce paid admission to national cultural sites, including the National Museum of Korea, after reports circulated on Monday that sites may soon charge entrance fees.
The Ministry of Planning and Budget announced plans to adjust user fees for national facilities in its 2027 budget guidelines on Monday, citing the need to bring charges closer to market levels. The move targets facilities where fees have remained low for extended periods or are significantly cheaper than comparable private services. However, the government stressed that no final decision has been made.
The proposal covers a range of charges, including departure taxes at airports and admission fees for national museums, palaces and royal tombs.
Among the most notable measures under review is a potential shift to paid entry at the National Museum of Korea. The museum has been free to enter since 2008, and any change would mark its first return to a paid model in nearly two decades.
The push comes as visitor numbers surge. The museum drew a record-breaking 6.5 million visitors last year, up about 72 percent from 3.78 million the previous year, leading to overcrowding in exhibition halls and parking facilities. Part of the increase in visitors is attributed to the success of the Oscar-winning film "KPop Demon Hunters" (2025).
![Visitors to the National Museum of Korea line up for entry in front of the main gate of the museum in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Jan. 4. [NEWS1]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/30/8fab9e68-fab0-4fa8-b39b-31e24e5861eb.jpg)
Visitors to the National Museum of Korea line up for entry in front of the main gate of the museum in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Jan. 4. [NEWS1]
The adjustments are aimed at improving visitor experience while applying the “beneficiary pays” principle, officials said.
“Charging a reasonable fee can help ensure visitors enjoy exhibitions in a higher-quality environment,” said Cho Yong-beom, a senior Budget Ministry official.
BY LIM JEONG-WON [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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