Museum SAN receives backlash after turning away visitor in wheelchair
Published: 15 Apr. 2026, 22:21
Updated: 15 Apr. 2026, 22:24
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- LIM JEONG-WON
- [email protected]
![The entrance to Museum SAN in Wonju, Gangwon, is seen on Jan. 21, 2025. [JOONGANG ILBO]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/15/8ab994e0-cb6d-496e-9b97-219b66b9b8e1.jpg)
The entrance to Museum SAN in Wonju, Gangwon, is seen on Jan. 21, 2025. [JOONGANG ILBO]
A wheelchair user was turned away from an exhibition at Museum SAN, a major art space in Wonju, Gangwon, fueling both criticism from the public and calls for accessibility to be improved at the museum.
The recent visitor was unable to enter the exhibition space at Museum SAN on Saturday because they use a wheelchair and the gallery wanted to preserve the show’s white floor. The museum, owned by the Hansol Cultural Foundation, is currently presenting a solo exhibition by Korean artist Lee Bae, titled “En attendant: Waiting.”
The visitor wrote on a social media post that while they understood the need to keep the floor clean, it was hard to accept being denied entry when a simple wheel cover could have made access possible.
“Being told wheelchair users could not enter made the talk of artistic spirit feel hollow,” the visitor wrote, questioning what value art has if it lacks empathy.
Museum SAN confirmed the matter and issued an apology Wednesday.
“We began taking corrective steps as soon as we became aware of the issue,” Museum SAN said in a statement. “We promise to put in place the necessary equipment and guidance system so wheelchair users can view exhibitions more smoothly.”
The post from the visitor who was denied entry drew widespread sympathy online, receiving thousands of likes and more than 100 comments.
“Cultural spaces should naturally be accessible to everyone,” one commenter pointed out, while others said that the restriction appeared to affect not only wheelchair users but visitors with strollers as well.
![An "Issu du feu" sculpture by the artist Lee Bae is featured at the entryway of Museum SAN's main building in Wonju, Gangwon. [MUSEUM SAN]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/15/81a697d2-b8ca-42a7-bfd8-e227ef9ee919.jpg)
An "Issu du feu" sculpture by the artist Lee Bae is featured at the entryway of Museum SAN's main building in Wonju, Gangwon. [MUSEUM SAN]
The backlash has been sharper because Museum SAN is one of the country’s more expensive museum destinations, with a 23,000-won ($16) entry fee for adults for basic entry and an all-pass fee as high as 46,000 won. Most commercial museums in Korea charge around 20,000 won per adult. The museum, located high in the mountains in Wonju, 110 kilometers (68 miles) away from Seoul, is also not especially easy to reach, adding to frustration that a visitor made the trip only to be turned away from the exhibition.
Museum SAN was designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando and is known for blending architecture, nature and art. It houses permanent spaces dedicated to artists such as James Turrell and Antony Gormley.
“Since the matter was brought to our attention, we have taken corrective measures and promise to prevent any reoccurrence of inconvenience in the future,” said a representative from the museum.
BY LIM JEONG-WON [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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