‘Old Korean Legation in the U.S.’ Officially Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (Sept. 9)

 - Secures New Federal Cultural Heritage Status… First Korea-Related Building in the U.S. to Achieve This Recognition -

The Old Korean Legation in Washington, D.C. (hereinafter referred to as the “Korean Legation”) has been officially listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on September 9 (local time).
• National Register of Historic Places: Established under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register of Historic Places encompasses districts, buildings, structures, objects and sites recognized for their significance in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture.

The Korea Heritage Service (Administrator: Choi Eung-Chon; hereinafter referred to as the “KHS”), in collaboration with the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation (Chair: Kim Jung-hee; hereinafter referred to as the “OKCHF”), has secured official confirmation from the U.S. National Park Service for the Korean Legation's new status. This listing was completed following a public hearing held in Washington, DC on July 25 and a notice of pending nomination published in the Federal Register on August 7 followed by a public comment period conducted by the National Park Service, which lasted until August 22. As a result, the Korean Legation has been granted a new legal status as a federal cultural heritage site in the United States.
The official designation of the Korean Legation as a National Historic Place is “Old Korean Legation.” Its historical significance as a site of Korean-American diplomacy in Washington, D.C. was recognized as a core value of the building. Additionally, the building’s well-preserved original condition, both internally and externally, and its successful restoration and renovation led by the KHS are also significant factors contributing to its listing.
The current Korean Legation building, originally constructed as a private residence in 1877, served as a diplomatic legation for 16 years, from February 1889 until November 1905, when Korea's diplomatic rights were ceded to Japan under the forced Eulsa Treaty. It was the first overseas legation established in a Western country and served as a crucial center for modernization during the Joseon and Korean Empire periods. Although Japan forcibly acquired it and sold it to an American in 1910, the KHS (the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea at that time) reacquired it in October 2012.
Upon its acquisition, the KHS has dedicated five years to researching, restoring, and renovating the Korean Legation, uncovering its significant historical value. Notably, it has been confirmed as the only surviving building among the approximately 30 foreign legations established in Washington, D.C. in the 19th century that retains its original form. Since the re-opening as a historical museum in 2018, the Korean Legation has utilized its first and second floors for restoration and reproduction purposes, while the third floor is dedicated to exhibitions on Korean-American relations.
This listing is significant for both Korea and the United States, as it officially recognizes the historical value of the Korean Legation and marks the first time a Korea-related building has been designated a National Historic Place by the U.S. federal government.
The KHS and OKCHF will continue to develop and offer various visitor programs to promote the Korean Legation as a premier "K-Shared Heritage" site, and will also work to ensure that overseas Korean cultural heritage is thoroughly preserved and effectively utilized within local legal and institutional frameworks.