Greek Culture Ministry Looks to Boost Collaborations with Korean Museums

Photo source: Culture Ministry

Boosting collaborations between Greek and South Korean museums were on the agenda of Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni during her recent visit to South Korea.

While in Seoul, Mendoni met with the administrations of the National Museum of South Korea, the National Palace Museum, Gyeongbokgung, and the Leeum Museum to further explore partnerships between public and private museums in Greece and Korea.

A key point of discussion was the exchange of knowledge and expertise to facilitate the development of new partnerships.

Visit to Jongmyeo Shrine

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni (center) during her tour at the Jongmyo Shrine. Photo source: Culture Ministry

During Mendoni’s stay in Seoul, Korean experts gave her a tour of the Jongmyo Supreme State Shrine, which has been undergoing large-scale maintenance and restoration work since 2020.

At the monument, the minister was introduced to various methods for maintaining and restoring large wooden structures.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jongmyo is the temple where the royal Korean ancestral tablets of deceased kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) are enshrined. The shrine was founded in the late 14th century but was destroyed during the 35-year Japanese occupation in the 16th century.

It was rebuilt in the early 17th century, with extensions added over time.

Photo source: Culture Ministry

On the sidelines of her trip, Mendoni, along with the Greek Ambassador to Seoul Aikaterini Loupa, and the General Director of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage Olympia Vikatou, laid a wreath at the War Memorial in memory of the 194 Greek soldiers and officers who died in the Korean War.

They also visited Seoul’s War Memorial Museum, where memorabilia from the Greek military’s participation in the war are exhibited.