Year-Round Exhibition at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the ROK-US Alliance and the 141st Anniversary of the United States–Korea Treaty of 1882, an Engaging, Accessible, and Informative Presentation of 70 Years of Drama

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister PARK Bo Gyoon, MCST) and the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History (Director Han Su, MUCH), under the jurisdiction of the Ministry, are set to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the ROK-US alliance and the 141st anniversary of the United States–Korea Treaty of 1882 by reevaluating the history of the diplomatic, security, civil exchange, and cultural aspects of the ROK-US relations throughout 2023.

Starting with the special exhibition “We Go Together,” held on April 24 (Mon) at Theme Hall 1 on the third floor, on the occasion of President YOON Suk Yeol’s state visit to the United States, reflecting on the ROK-US alliance’s 70-year history through major treaties and declarations between the two countries, MUCH has been progressively organizing various exhibitions.

The 70-Year History of the ROK-US Alliance Unfolded through Key Figures and Language

On June 25 (Sun), the anniversary of the start of the Korean War, MUCH will unveil the exhibition “A Nation Remembering Heroes.” This exhibition, selected by both the South Korean and US governments, aims to commemorate the significance of veterans by introducing the achievements of the “Top 10 Heroes of the ROK-US Veterans.” Visitors can explore the faces of these heroes, including General Douglas MacArthur, who led the Incheon Landing (Operation Chromite); the father-son duo of General James Van Fleet, who served as the commander of the Eighth United States Army; and his son, who participated as an Air Force pilot. Additionally, Marine Corps Colonel PARK Jeong Mo, who raised the South Korean flag at the Central Government Complex after Seoul’s liberation, will be present. The exhibition will be held in the multipurpose hall on the third floor.

The heroes’ dramatic stories continue to be showcased in the exhibition “The Six Dramas of the ROK-US Alliance” at the entrance of the Theme Hall on the third floor. Among them were Air Force General KIM Du Man, who successfully led the Seunghori Railroad Bridge Interdiction Operation; Army General BAEK Sun Yeop, who defended the strategic point of Dabu-dong on the Nakdonggang River frontline alongside US forces; and Army Colonel KIM Dong Seok, who obtained crucial intelligence for the Seoul Recapture Operation. Their stories are presented in a storytelling format, along with the narratives of President RHEE Syng Man’s diplomatic efforts, President PARK Chung Hee’s endeavor to reinforce national defense, and General Singlaub’s opposition to the withdrawal of US forces from Korea. The exhibition also sheds light on episodes such as the birth of “Kimchi 5” LEE Kyung Pil on the ship SS Meredith Victory.

A Timeline of the 70-Year History of the ROK-US Alliance: Turbulent Modern History of South Korea At a Glance

On May 18, a special exhibition titled “The People Who Created and Safeguarded the ROK-US Alliance” was held, presenting an easy-to-understand timeline summarizing the activities and records of key figures in the history of the ROK-US Alliance.

The extensive timeline displayed on the walls of the multipurpose hall on the third floor features significant figures in the history of the ROK-US alliance. It includes Shufeldt and SHIN Heon, who represented their respective countries during the signing of the United States–Korea Treaty of 1882, and highlights US President Harry S. Truman, who made swift decisions regarding his participation in the Korean War. President RHEE Syng Man, who laid the foundation of the ROK-US alliance through his diplomatic efforts and led the establishment of the “ROK-US Mutual Defense Treaty” in 1953, stated, “Our descendants will significantly benefit from this treaty for generations to come.” Additionally, General John Singlaub, who openly opposed the discussion of the withdrawal of US forces from Korea in 1977 and emphasized the importance of the ROK-US alliance by saying, “If you think about how many lives I traded for a few stars, there is no more rewarding work than that,” also appears on the timeline.

The final timeline entry concludes with President YOON’s statement during his joint address to the US Congress on April 26, 2023. He expressed his vision for the future of the ROK-US alliance, stating, “Our alliance will continue to advance toward the future. The world we will build together will provide infinite opportunities for future generations. I urge all of you to join us on this new journey.”

In addition, the exhibition “PARK Chung Yang, the First Korean Envoy to the US, and Lucius Harwood Foote, the First American Envoy to Korea” sheds new light on the activities of the first diplomatic representatives between the Korean Empire and the United States. It also highlights the contributions of four American missionaries, including Henry Gerhard Appenzeller, who played a significant role in the modernization process of Korea during the period of Enlightenment. Another exhibition, “The ROK-US Alliance Through Civil Exchange,” showcases the story of the Peace Corps, a group of over 2,000 volunteers who engaged in educational and health-care activities in Korea from 1966 to 1981. Both exhibitions can be found in the lobby on the first floor.

Archival Footage and Documents, Unveiled for the First Time through the Special Exhibition

The special exhibition features the first-ever presentation of footage from the 1953 ROK-US Mutual Defense Treaty captured and produced by the Liberty News. It showcases the first Korean translation of the “American Commercial Records,” written by SHIN Heon, the plenipotentiary of Joseon, during the United States–Korea Treaty of 1882. Visitors will also be able to view various previously unseen archival photographs and videos.

Various Year-Round Indoor and Outdoor Exhibitions and Educational Programs at MUCH

In addition to the exhibition “Exploring the ROK-US Alliance Through Numbers,” which concisely conveys the meaning of the ROK-US alliance through symbolic numbers, MUCH offers a new perspective on the ROK-US alliance’s 70-year history through “donated materials,” “media art,” “archival photographs,” and “comics,” both indoors and outdoors.

In the Permanent Exhibition History Galley on the fifth floor, visitors can explore the history of ROK-US relations in Korean modern and contemporary history. Visitors can look for exhibition materials adorned with the “ROK-US Alliance 70” logo-shaped stickers, enabling them to examine the history of the ROK-US relationship.

In July, a special exhibition will be held to reflect on Korean popular culture and the Hallyu wave, exploring the mutual influence and exchange of popular culture between South Korea and the United States. Starting in October, another special exhibition will commemorate the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty on October 1, 1953, which will comprehensively present the achievements and significance of the ROK-US alliance in various fields and offer a glimpse into future visions.

Alongside these exhibitions, different educational and academic events will also be held. As part of the summer vacation educational program, plans to organize events such as the “Heroic Stories to Listen to with Family” and “Public Lectures on the Six Dramas of the Korean War” are underway.

Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister PARK Bo Gyoon stated, “The influence of the mutual relationship between South Korea and the United States has been significant in all areas of Korean modern and contemporary history, including politics, diplomacy, security, economy, and culture. However, there has been a lack of platforms where younger generations can comprehensively understand these stories. This special exhibition will be an accessible and engaging opportunity to explore the drama of reversals, transformations, and pivotal moments that have unfolded during the 70-year history of the ROK-US alliance. Particularly noteworthy is the emphasis on highlighting the historical fact that, immediately after the signing of the United States–Korea Treaty of 1882, both countries officially dispatched their first diplomatic envoys, going beyond the 70-year history of the ROK-US alliance and shedding light on the 141-year relationship between the two countries. This exhibition sets itself apart from others in this aspect.”

In the meantime, the US Embassy in Seoul, located beside MUCH, is closely cooperating for the success of the museum’s special exhibition. Since June 24, the day before the start of the Korean War on June 25, a large banner symbolizing the 70th anniversary of the ROK-US alliance (covering the height of the building’s third floor) has been displayed.