A special exhibition titled 'Journey into Tomorrow' is set to open at Deoksugung Palace's Dondeokjeon Hall from Dec. 9 to Dec. 17, marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Germany. The event is co-hosted by the Deoksugung Palace Management Office of the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center under the Cultural Heritage Administration, and the German Embassy in Seoul.
The exhibition, set in the historically significant Dondeokjeon hall, a restored center of diplomacy during the Korean Empire, features three sections. These sections chronicle the past, present, and future of Korean-German relations.
The first section delves into the 140-year history, highlighting key moments like the 1883 Treaty of Friendship and Commerce, the state visit of German Prince Heinrich in 1899, and the establishment of Korea's first German language school in 1903. It showcases historical exchanges through photographs, videos, and replicas of cultural artifacts.
The present state of relations is explored in the second section, with a commemorative video marking the 140th anniversary and a review of recent bilateral events.
The final section looks to the future, featuring interactive digital installations addressing climate change, societal transformations, and emerging technologies.
An opening day event on Dec. 9 will feature a dialogue session with German Ambassador Georg Wilfried Schmidt and a German language workshop in Dondeokjeon Hall's Archive Room.
The Deoksugung Palace Management Office, led by Director Kwoen Jeom-su, views the exhibition as an opportunity to celebrate the historical ties between Korea and Germany and to maintain Dondeokjeon Hall as a venue for public diplomacy.