National Museum of Korea ranks 3rd globally in visitor numbers in 2025 | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- The National Museum of Korea ranked third in the world for visitor numbers in 2025, surpassing the British Museum and New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, according to industry data. The South Korean museum drew 6.5 million visitors in 2025, a 70 percent increase from the previous year, the British art magazine The Art Newspaper reported in its annual visitor survey released Tuesday. This undated file photo shows the National Museum of Korea crowded with visitors. (Yonhap) Other South Korean museums placed in the global top 100, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, at No. 35; the Gyeongju National Museum at No. 39; and the Buyeo and Gongju national museums at Nos. 78 and 89, respectively. People wait in line to enter the National Museum of Korea in Seoul in January 2026, in this photo provided by the National Museum of Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) sshim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Fans get first listen to BLACKPINK's new album at National Museum of Korea Lee visits special exhibition on 16th century naval commander Yi Sun-sin Exhibition of Silla-era gold crowns draws 285,000 despite visitor cap K-pop icons incorporate national heritage into comeback projects National Museum drew 6.5 mln visitors in 2025 Korean traditional goods sales hit record high amid 'Demon Hunters' boom MORE (+1) CLOSE Keywords #national museum #ranking Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.

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SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- The National Museum of Korea ranked third in the world for visitor numbers in 2025, surpassing the British Museum and New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, according to industry data.
The South Korean museum drew 6.5 million visitors in 2025, a 70 percent increase from the previous year, the British art magazine The Art Newspaper reported in its annual visitor survey released Tuesday.
The National Museum of Korea trailed only the Louvre in Paris, which topped the list with 9 million visitors, and the Vatican Museums with 6.9 million. The British Museum placed fourth with 6.4 million visitors, followed by the Metropolitan Museum of Art with 5.98 million.
This undated file photo shows the National Museum of Korea crowded with visitors. (Yonhap)
Other South Korean museums placed in the global top 100, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, at No. 35; the Gyeongju National Museum at No. 39; and the Buyeo and Gongju national museums at Nos. 78 and 89, respectively.
The Art Newspaper described South Korea as showing "the most remarkable growth" among all countries surveyed.
The National Museum's touring exhibition of art pieces donated by the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee has also attracted about 80,000 visitors in Washington, D.C., according to the museum, as interest in Korean cultural heritage expands overseas.
Visitor growth has continued into this year, with 2 million people visiting the museum in the first quarter, up 44.8 percent from a year earlier.
The museum plans to host various special exhibitions, including one featuring Thai art in June and another showcasing masterpieces from Kunsthaus Zurich, Switzerland's largest art museum, in November.
People wait in line to enter the National Museum of Korea in Seoul in January 2026, in this photo provided by the National Museum of Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
sshim@yna.co.kr
(END)
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National Museum of Korea ranks 3rd globally in visitor numbers in 2025

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Korea's strong backlash against growing S.

### Areas for Consideration
- People wait in line to enter the National Museum of Korea in Seoul in January 2026, in this photo provided by the National Museum of Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) sshim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Fans get first listen to BLACKPINK's new album at National Museum of Korea Lee visits special exhibition on 16th century naval commander Yi Sun-sin Exhibition of Silla-era gold crowns draws 285,000 despite visitor cap K-pop icons incorporate national heritage into comeback projects National Museum drew 6.5 mln visitors in 2025 Korean traditional goods sales hit record high amid 'Demon Hunters' boom MORE (+1) CLOSE Keywords #national museum #ranking Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.

### Implications
- People wait in line to enter the National Museum of Korea in Seoul in January 2026, in this photo provided by the National Museum of Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) sshim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Fans get first listen to BLACKPINK's new album at National Museum of Korea Lee visits special exhibition on 16th century naval commander Yi Sun-sin Exhibition of Silla-era gold crowns draws 285,000 despite visitor cap K-pop icons incorporate national heritage into comeback projects National Museum drew 6.5 mln visitors in 2025 Korean traditional goods sales hit record high amid 'Demon Hunters' boom MORE (+1) CLOSE Keywords #national museum #ranking Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.
- Korean Air to enter emergency management mode over soaring fuel costs (LEAD) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed Declassified documents show N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers museum, national, korea topics. Notable strengths include discussion of museum. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 650.