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The National Library of Korea (국립중앙도서관)

The National Library of Korea (국립중앙도서관) · © KTO · KOGL Type 3

Seoul

The National Library of Korea (국립중앙도서관)

The National Library of Korea is a curated attraction in Korea — full details, hours, and access info on the official Korea Tourism page.

ROOTIconic stop curated by Korea Tourism OrganizationSeoul's distinctive city pulseEnglish-friendly

Why go

The National Library of Korea in southern Seoul is the country's flagship national public library, holding about 13 million books, periodicals, manuscripts, and digital materials — the largest single collection in Korea. The library combines public reading rooms (open to all visitors with simple ID registration), substantial research-archive sections, and a public exhibition gallery on the broader history of Korean publishing and the library's own collection highlights. The 1988 building, designed in late-modernist style, is itself a substantial civic-architecture work. Free public access. About 90 minutes for a slow exhibition visit (longer if using research collections). Pair with the broader southern Seoul attractions including Banpo Hangang Park.

Quick highlights

  • Korea's flagship national public library
  • About 13 million books, periodicals, manuscripts, digital materials
  • Largest single collection in Korea
  • Public reading rooms with simple ID registration
  • Pair with Banpo Hangang Park

Nearby best pairs

Other places in Seoul that pair well with this visit.