The government is moving to review raising admission fees for royal palaces and tombs, which have been frozen for 20 years. Before deciding whether to raise prices and by how much, it is seeking public input to reduce potential controversy.
The Korea Heritage Service said Thursday it is conducting a public survey titled “Public Perception Survey on Realizing Palace and Royal Tomb Admission Fees.” The survey is being run through the Sotong24 website and closes Friday.
The survey has six questions, including what respondents consider an appropriate fee level, whether they would still visit if prices rise, and views on the current system that applies the same admission fee to Koreans and foreigners. It also asks whether to keep a differentiated pricing system or adopt a single-fee structure.
The questionnaire lays out specific price ranges. For Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, which currently charge 3,000 won, it asks respondents to choose among: 3,000 won (no change); more than 3,000 won to less than 5,000 won; 5,000 won to less than 8,000 won; 8,000 won to less than 10,000 won; or 10,000 won or more.
For Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, Jongmyo Shrine and the Joseon royal tombs, which currently charge 1,000 won, the ranges are: 1,000 won (no change); more than 1,000 won to less than 3,000 won; 3,000 won to less than 5,000 won; 5,000 won to less than 8,000 won; or 8,000 won or more.
The survey follows a view that current fees do not reflect inflation and rising maintenance costs. Admission is 3,000 won for Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung; 1,000 won each for Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, Jongmyo and the Joseon royal tombs; and 500 won for Sejong relic sites. By comparison, Buckingham Palace charges 65.7 pounds (about 120,000 won) and the Palace of Versailles charges 25 to 35 euros (about 43,000 to 60,000 won).
Calls to raise fees have circulated inside and outside the government. President Lee Jae-myung, in a December briefing on the Korea Heritage Service’s 2026 work plan, noted that taxpayer money is used to manage the sites and said, “It is not substantively fair for a small number of visitors to enjoy the benefits.” While repeatedly stressing the need to adjust fees, he added, “If you just (raise them), people feel upset and disappointed, so it needs to be adjusted after good explanations and a process of persuasion.”
Based on the survey results, the government is expected to gauge social consensus on the need for changes and an appropriate level, then draft specific improvements.
A recent study suggests some support for fees near 10,000 won. According to public hearing materials for a policy study titled “Policy Research on Measures to Realize Service Admission Fees for Palaces and Tombs,” published by the Korea Heritage Service’s Royal Palaces and Tombs Center and the CST-affiliated Cultural Administration Research Institute, a survey of 2,341 visitors found respondents said they could pay an average of 9,730 won for palaces and Jongmyo Shrine and 8,458 won for the Joseon royal tombs.
Separately, as the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art has raised admission for some special exhibitions by 60%, the National Museum of Korea — facing a surge in visitors — is also reviewing charging for its permanent exhibition. The museum is developing online reservation and ticketing, on-site ticketing, contactless electronic ticket checks, and mobile tickets using QR codes.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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