Speaking at a news briefing at the Korea Press Center, Kim said the museum will pursue the creation of a National Script Research Institute as a key driver, aiming to become a “global hub for writing-system culture” where exhibitions and research operate in tandem. He outlined major initiatives for the museum’s future growth.
The proposed institute would be a specialized body to study writing systems broadly, from their origins to changes in the digital era. Through networks of researchers in Korea and abroad and an archive of global writing-system materials, the museum plans to move beyond an “exhibitions and education” focus and build a model that integrates professional research.
Kim said the institute would also serve as a central platform to protect shared human heritage by systematically documenting and studying scripts at risk of disappearing. “We will work closely with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to push ahead with the institute step by step and establish the museum’s identity,” he said.
To expand visitor experiences, the museum will strengthen its domestic and international exhibition lineup. It will open “Geulssi Shop” on May 1, highlighting the meaning and artistry of handwriting. In the second half of the year, it plans a special exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of Korean Braille, tentatively titled “Dots That Communicate — Hunmaengjeongeum.”
The museum also plans to deepen global ties. In July, it will hold an exchange exhibition, “A King’s Dream, the Speech of All People,” at the Champollion World Writing Museum in France to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France, highlighting the history of writing-system exchanges between the two countries.
In May 2027, the museum plans a show tentatively titled “ASEAN Fairy Tales,” introducing scripts from Southeast Asian countries alongside traditional stories. In October 2027, it plans a more in-depth special exhibition tentatively titled “Great Exhibition of Chinese Characters.” The show, in cooperation with the Palace Museum in Beijing to mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and China, will examine the origins and development of Chinese characters, the formation of the broader Chinese-character cultural sphere, and their cultural influence and future significance through the modern era.
The exhibitions are being planned as part of a “World Writing History Series,” with future special shows expected to cover additional scripts and civilizations, including the Latin alphabet (English) and kana (Japanese).
* This article has been translated by AI.
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