Director Yoo Hongjun Delivers Lectures on Ancient Korean Culture at Cambridge and SOAS in the UK

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Yoo Hongjun, Director of the National Museum of Korea, delivered a series of special lectures on ancient Korean culture and architecture at the University of Cambridge and SOAS, University of London.

Director Yoo Hong-Jun of the National Museum of Korea gave a special lecture on "Ancient Korean Culture and Architecture" at the University of Cambridge, UK, on the 29th of last month. Director Yoo introduced the flow of Korean culture from prehistoric times to Buddhist art, architecture, and ceramics, as well as the characteristics of Korean aesthetics. National Museum of Korea

The National Museum of Korea announced on the 2nd that Director Yoo conducted English-language lectures on "Ancient Korean Culture and Architecture" at the University of Cambridge on the 29th of last month and at SOAS, University of London, on the 1st of this month.

The lectures were organized on the occasion of Director Yoo’s visit to London to attend the opening ceremony at the British Museum for the overseas touring exhibition of works donated by the late Lee Kun-hee, former Chairman of Samsung.

The Cambridge lecture, hosted by the Korean Studies Programme of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, was held in Little Hall with 102 attendees. At SOAS, the lecture was organized by the Korean Studies Institute within the Faculty of Arts, attracting 120 attendees. Due to heavy advance reservations, the SOAS lecture was moved to a larger venue than originally planned.

Director Yoo described the development of Korean history and culture—from the prehistoric era through the Buddhist art, architecture, and ceramics of the Three Kingdoms period—centering his explanations on major historic sites and artworks.

He also highlighted the unique characteristics of Korean aesthetics through comparisons with Chinese and Japanese culture. While contemporary Korean culture such as K-pop, film, and drama has garnered global attention, he emphasized that this is grounded in a long history and artistic tradition.

Both lectures were conducted in English. In addition to Korean residents and students majoring in Korean Studies, a wide range of local university members and members of the public from various disciplines attended. After the lectures, audience members lined up to receive signatures on Director Yoo’s books, which he had brought himself.

Previously, Director Yoo held a total of three special lectures in Washington D.C. and Chicago in the United States, where the Lee Kun-hee Donation Overseas Touring Exhibition was also held. During the London leg, he continued giving university lectures in tandem with the official exhibition opening and press events.

The National Museum of Korea stated its intention to share the value and historical context of Korea’s cultural heritage with international audiences not only through overseas exhibitions, but also through lectures and academic exchanges.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.