National Library of Korea, National library in Seocho District, Seoul, South Korea
The National Library of Korea is a major collection institution holding over 12 million materials, including millions of Korean books, foreign publications, and historical documents. The building spans multiple underground and ground levels that organize all these holdings in one central location.
The institution began in 1906 as a private library and was later transformed into a government facility under Japanese rule. After Korea's independence in 1945, it became the national repository that exists today.
The collection reflects Korean literary history through rare manuscripts, historical texts on traditional medicine, and early Korean paperback editions from the 20th century. Visitors can explore how the country's written culture has evolved over time.
The building is accessible during morning through afternoon hours and features user-friendly study areas spread across multiple levels. Digital materials can be accessed online from anywhere through a portal system, which complements the physical visit.
The collection includes specialized holdings of materials written by foreigners before 1945, showing how the world perceived Korea at that time. These outside perspectives offer a rare view of how society was understood from abroad.
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