South Korea’s National Museum of Korea has officially entered the global elite of art institutions, ranking No. 3 on The Art Newspaper’s “The World’s 100 Most Visited Art Museums in 2025.” With 6.5 million visitors, it follows only the Louvre Museum (9.05M) and the Vatican Museums (6.93M). This milestone marks a dramatic rise for the Seoul-based museum, reflecting growing international interest in Korean history and culture.
{img}The growth has been truly remarkable. In 2024, the museum welcomed 3.8 million visitors, but in 2025, that number soared to 6.5 million—a 70% increase, which The Art Newspaper noted as one of the largest absolute rises ever recorded in its rankings. This surge demonstrates the global audience’s expanding fascination with Korean heritage, particularly as cultural tourism continues to rise alongside the global popularity of K-pop and K-content.
{img}It’s not just the National Museum of Korea making waves. Other national institutions also performed strongly: the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art attracted 2.11 million visitors, ranking 35th; Gyeongju National Museum saw 1.98 million visitors, ranking 39th; and Gongju National Museum recorded 0.87 million visitors, ranking 89th. These numbers collectively show that Korea’s museum scene is gaining recognition for both historical depth and contemporary relevance.
The National Museum of Korea’s main exhibits include priceless artifacts from Korea’s dynastic history, Buddhist art, ceramics, calligraphy, and traditional cultural objects, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in East Asian heritage. Its Seoul campus, with modern facilities and accessible exhibitions, ensures a world-class visitor experience while highlighting Korea’s rich past.
{img}With this achievement, South Korea has firmly established itself on the global cultural map, not just for music and media but also for art and heritage. The National Museum of Korea now joins the ranks of the world’s most prestigious museums, proving that Korea’s soft power extends far beyond K-pop and dramas, captivating millions of visitors from around the world every year.