63 cultural facilities that have been closed since February 25, 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 reopened after about 70 days. To practice the “social distancing in daily life” campaign, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will be gradually resuming operation of these facilities based on an advanced reservation system and partial openings.
On May 6, the day that the city initiated the “social distancing in daily life” campaign, 63 cultural facilities operated by the SMG, including ▴ libraries, ▴ museums, ▴ performance halls, and more, reopened for a step-by-step recommencement of their services. If you want to pay a visit to one of the facilities, it is best to first check the website to learn what to prepare, as each facility suggests different requirements. All visitors should follow the directions for disinfection, such as wearing masks and having their body temperature checked before entry.

<Seoul Metropolitan Library Resumes Lending Service for Reserved Books>
Seoul Metropolitan Library operates the lending service for reserved books from May 6-24. If you reserve books to borrow and visit the library, you can borrow the books at a temporary lending counter. Up to 300 people per day (200 people on Saturday or Sunday) can lend up to 5 books for 2 weeks (one-time extension of the lending period available, a maximum of 3 weeks). To return the books, you can use the unmanned box at the back gate of the library. According to the development of the COVID-19 pandemic, the library has plans to normalize its service where users can borrow and return books that they find on the bookshelves starting May 26.

<Museums Limit the Number of Visitors through Advanced Reservations>
Municipal museums, such as the Seoul Museum of History and the Seoul Baekje Museum, have resumed their services for a limited number of visitors who make reservations in advance. Everyone can make a reservation for free on the Seoul Public Service Reservation website (http://yeyak.seoul.go.kr). Details on the number of persons to be admitted and the hours of operation of the facilities can be checked on their official websites.
Art museums, including Seoul Museum of Art, Buk-Seoul Museum of Art, Nam-Seoul Museum of Art, and more, have reopened their doors to receive visitors through online reservation starting on May 6 (Wed.). You can make a reservation on a first-come, first-served basis on the Seoul Public Service Reservation website. The in-person docent service has not been resumed yet, but visitors can still listen to explanations of the exhibitions through the mobile application, “Seoul Museum of Art.”

<Performance Halls and Other Cultural Facilities Reopen>
Performance halls, such as the Seoul Namsan Gukakdang, Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater, and Sejong Center, that have held performances without audiences are now preparing for greeting on-site audiences. In May, they will sell tickets through reservations for 30-50% off seats so that audiences can sit distanced from each other to watch performances.
Seoul Book Bogo, the nation’s first public secondhand bookstore, resumed operation on May 6. From May 6-24, only the space with bookshelves and the exhibition hall will be open and cultural programs including lectures will be provided online. Depending on the progress of COVID-19, Seoul Book Bogo will reopen the book cafe and allow visitors to read used books starting on May 26.

<Safe Enjoyment of Performances and Exhibitions at Home>
Aside from the aforementioned facilities, many online culture and art programs will be provided in May that will bring comfort to the hearts of citizens who feel exhausted in body and soul due to the COVID-19 crisis. You can safely and comfortably enjoy cultural life online at home, including real-time broadcasting of traditional Korean music, musicals, and dances, as well as VR exhibitions and traditional cultural experiences.

Reopening Schedule for Cultural Facilities in Seoul (63 Venues)

※ Available time for a visit may differ from the schedule due to the requirement of advanced reservation or partial openings.