The Seoul Museum of Art Seosomun Main Branch is the city’s public art museum, at 61 Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, in the middle of the Jeong-dong neighborhood. Permanent viewing is free, and only special exhibitions charge admission. It’s about a 4-minute walk from Exit 10 of City Hall Station on Subway Line 2. The museum stays open until 20:00 Tuesday through Thursday and until 21:00 on Fridays. That leaves time after work to see an exhibition and then walk around the lit-up facade of the former Supreme Court building.
What Is the Seoul Museum of Art Seosomun Main Branch?
The museum is made of two connected buildings. The front is the Renaissance-style former Supreme Court building, and a modern building stands behind it. The site has a long legal history. Korea’s first courthouse, Pyeongniwon (평리원), also called Hanseong Court (한성재판소), once stood here. In 1928, during the Japanese occupation, the Gyeongseong Court (경성재판소) was built on the site. After Korea’s liberation, the building became the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court moved to Seocho-dong in 1995, and the Seoul Museum of Art has used the building since 2002. Exhibitions are only part of the program. The museum also runs education programs, screenings, workshops, performances, and talks. Inside you’ll find SeMA Cafe+, an art bookshop, and a lobby space, and there’s an outdoor sculpture park.
Seoul Museum of Art Seosomun Main Branch at Night: Best Time and Spots
The best places to see the museum at night are the facade of the former Supreme Court building and the museum’s walking path. In the evening, the old stone architecture and the modern buildings come together in one view.
Friday is the best evening to go. The museum stays open until 21:00, so you can finish an exhibition and still walk slowly past the front of the building and along the path. Tuesday to Thursday it’s open until 20:00. Entry closes one hour before closing time, so arrive early if you want to see an exhibition too. The museum doesn’t announce when the lights come on.
Seoul Museum of Art Seosomun Main Branch Hours and Admission
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Tuesday–Thursday | 10:00–20:00 |
| Friday | 10:00–21:00 (extended hours) |
| Sat, Sun & public holidays, summer season (March–October) | 10:00–19:00 |
| Sat, Sun & public holidays, winter season (November–February) | 10:00–18:00 |
| Last entry | 1 hour before closing |
| Closed | January 1 and every Monday (open if Monday is a public holiday) |
| Type | Admission |
|---|---|
| Permanent viewing | Free |
| Special exhibitions | Paid |
Winter hours start in November, so the museum closes at 18:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Check this first if you’re planning a weekend evening visit.
What’s On at Seoul Museum of Art Seosomun Main Branch Now
| Exhibition | Location | Dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynn Hershman Leeson exhibition (《린 허쉬만 리슨: 나의 [나]들》) | Seosomun Main Branch, 2nd–3rd floors | Wednesday, October 21, 2026 – Sunday, February 21, 2027 | Free (no reservation needed) |
The Lynn Hershman Leeson exhibition (《린 허쉬만 리슨: 나의 [나]들》) is free, and you don’t need a reservation. A guided talk on the artworks runs every day at 3 PM. You can also listen to commentary on the Seoul Museum of Art exhibition docent app (전시도슨팅). The Yoo Youngkuk exhibition (《유영국: 산은 내 안에 있다》) on the 1st floor closed on October 25, 2026.
From November 10 to November 25, 2026, the museum is running docent tours in foreign languages.
How to Get to Seoul Museum of Art Seosomun Main Branch from City Hall Station
By Subway
| Line | Station & Exit | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Line 2 | City Hall Station, Exit 10 | About 4 min |
| Line 1 | City Hall Station, Exit 1 | About 6 min |
| Line 5 | Seodaemun Station, Exit 5 | About 13 min |
| Line 5 | Gwanghwamun Station, Exit 6 | About 13 min |
By Bus
| Stop | Routes | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sicheong.Seosomun Cheongsa (시청.서소문청사) | Trunk buses 172, 472, 600, 602; branch bus 7019 | About 5 min |
Seoul Museum of Art Parking Fees and Hours
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Hours | Tue–Fri 09:00–22:00 / Mon, Sat, Sun & public holidays 09:00–21:00 |
| Weekday rate | 400 KRW (~$0.30 USD) per 5 minutes |
| Saturday & public holiday rate | 300 KRW (~$0.23 USD) per 5 minutes |
| Discounts | 80% for people with disabilities, national merit recipients, and others; 50% for compact and low-emission vehicles |
| Paid exhibition visitors | First 20 minutes free |
| Restrictions | Vehicles with more than 12 seats cannot park |
Because parking is limited, the museum recommends coming by public transportation.
Lockers, English Information, and Other Facilities
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Luggage storage | Self-service lockers on basement level 1 |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair rental, elevators |
| Traveling with babies | Stroller rental for infants 36 months and under |
| Seating | Folding museum chairs, free to use |
| Café | SeMA CAFE+ on the 1st floor |
| Foreign-language information | English information page and English FAQ |
English visitor information is on the English page. For exhibition and event news, see the Seoul Museum of Art website. For questions, call the main line at 02-2124-8800 or 02-120.
Tips for Visiting Seoul Museum of Art Seosomun Main Branch
- Go on a Friday for the night view. The museum is open until 21:00, so you can see an exhibition and the lit facade on the same trip.
- Watch the last-entry time. Entry closes an hour before closing, so arrive before 20:00 on Fridays and before 19:00 Tuesday through Thursday.
- Weekend hours get shorter in November. In winter (November–February), the museum closes at 18:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
- Leave your bags in the basement lockers. Self-service lockers on basement level 1 let you walk the galleries without carrying anything.
- Time your visit for the art talk. The Lynn Hershman Leeson exhibition (《린 허쉬만 리슨: 나의 [나]들》) has a daily talk at 3 PM, and you can also listen on the exhibition docent app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is admission to the Seoul Museum of Art Seosomun Main Branch free?
Yes, permanent viewing is free. Special exhibitions charge admission, but the current Lynn Hershman Leeson exhibition (《린 허쉬만 리슨: 나의 [나]들》) on the 2nd and 3rd floors is free, and you don’t need a reservation.
When is the Seoul Museum of Art Seosomun Main Branch closed?
It’s closed every Monday and on January 1. If a Monday is a public holiday, the museum opens as usual.
What are the Seoul Museum of Art’s Friday evening hours?
On Fridays the museum opens 10:00–21:00. Entry closes at 20:00, one hour before closing.
Which City Hall Station exit is closest to the Seoul Museum of Art?
Exit 10 of City Hall Station on Line 2 is closest, about a 4-minute walk. From Line 1, use Exit 1 of City Hall Station, about a 6-minute walk.
How much does parking cost at the Seoul Museum of Art?
Parking costs 400 KRW (~$0.30 USD) per 5 minutes on weekdays and 300 KRW (~$0.23 USD) per 5 minutes on Saturdays and public holidays. Visitors to paid exhibitions get the first 20 minutes free, and vehicles with more than 12 seats cannot park.
Is there somewhere to store luggage?
Yes, there are self-service lockers on basement level 1. You can also rent wheelchairs and strollers for infants 36 months and under.
Is information available in English?
Yes, there’s an English information page and an English FAQ. From November 10 to November 25, 2026, the museum also offers docent tours in foreign languages.
What exhibition is on at the Seoul Museum of Art now?
The Lynn Hershman Leeson exhibition (《린 허쉬만 리슨: 나의 [나]들》) runs on the 2nd and 3rd floors from October 21, 2026 to February 21, 2027. The Yoo Youngkuk exhibition (《유영국: 산은 내 안에 있다》) on the 1st floor closed on October 25, 2026.
