A Testament to 140 Years of Korea–France Friendship Preserved 

in Gifts and Records

 - National Palace Museum of Korea Presents Special Exhibition

Gifts and Records: 140 Years of Korea–France Friendship

Celebrating the 140th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations (June 3–August 2) -

The National Palace Museum of Korea, under the Korea Heritage Service, in collaboration with the Presidential Archives of Korea, will present the special exhibition Gifts and Records: 140 Years of Korea–France Friendship from June 3 to August 2, 2026, at the museum’s Special Exhibition Gallery in Jongno-gu, Seoul, in celebration of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France.

This special exhibition offers a comprehensive look at the 140-year history of friendship shared by Korea and France through documents related to the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce between Joseon and France concluded in 1886, gifts and records exchanged between King Gojong (r. 1864-1907) and French President Sadi Carnot (1837-1894), and gifts and letters exchanged between the presidents of the Republic of Korea and France.

A highlight of the exhibition is the first-ever joint display of the original copies of the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce between Joseon and France, preserved respectively in the Archives of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Library of Korea. Also on view for the first time are an Onggi Wine Bottle from the collection of the National Ceramics Museum under Manufactures nationales, Sèvres & Mobilier national, France, presented to Charles de Montigny (1805-1868), French consul in Shanghai, during his visit to Joseon to rescue the crew of the French whaling ship Narval, which had drifted ashore on Bigeumdo Island in 1851; two Goryeo celadon bowls sent by King Gojong to the President of France from the collection of the Sèvres National Ceramics Museum; and the Wonhaeng eulmyo jeongni uigwe (Protocol of the Royal Procession to Hwaseong in 1795) and Huichanyeosa (Historical Book Compiling the History of the Goryeo Dynasty), both preserved in the Collections of the Bibliothèque universitaire des langues et civilisations (BULAC, Paris).

Visitors will also be able to view gifts exchanged between the leaders of both countries since the establishment of the Republic of Korea. Gifts presented by French presidents to their Korean counterparts, now preserved in the Presidential Archives of Korea, reflect France’s refined craftsmanship as well as the shared history of the two countries. In addition, craftworks such as a mother-of-pearl lacquer box and an inlaid celadon piece, presented by former Presidents Roh Tae-woo (1932-2021, in office 1988-1993) and Kim Young-sam (1929-2015, in office 1993-1998) to French President François Mitterrand (1916-1996, in office 1981-1995) and now housed in the Cité des Présents-François Mitterrand, France, will be displayed, illustrating the enduring friendship between the two nations.

The exhibition is organized into five sections.
Section 1, “Encounter between Joseon and France,” features the Onggi Wine Bottle presented during a meeting between a French diplomat and Joseon officials in 1851, as well as the Korean-French Dictionary (Dictionnaire Coréen–Français), the first modern Korean–foreign language dictionary compiled by missionaries of the Paris Foreign Missions Society.

Section 2, “The Treaty of Friendship and Commerce between Joseon and France and the Beginning of a Shared Journey,” presents treaty-related documents preserved in Korea and France, records concerning diplomatic representatives exchanged after the establishment of relations, and artifacts related to the growth of Catholicism in Joseon following the greater freedom granted to missionary activity under the treaty.

Section 3, “Exchange of Gifts between the King of Joseon and the President of France,” showcases the Painted White Porcelain “Salamina” Vase presented by President Sadi Carnot to King Gojong, together with Gojong’s return gifts: two celadon bowls, Books on Rituals and Korean History, and Pair of Decorative Artificial Trees Made with Precious Materials (banhwa). The original banhwa is now housed in the Musée national des arts asiatiques–Guimet, Paris. The work on display is a replica crafted in 2024 by Kim Young-hee, a National Intangible Cultural Heritage holder in Okjang (Jade Craft), through a sponsorship agreement between the Korea Heritage Service and Amorepacific Sulwhasoo. These gifts offer a glimpse into the mutual desire of Joseon and France to promote cultural exchange and foster mutual respect.

Section 4, “Solidarity between the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea and France,” explores the ties that continued even during the Japanese colonial period.
Section 5, “Continuing Friendship: Korea and France,” vividly brings the world of modern diplomacy to life through gifts and letters exchanged between the presidents of the two countries—including silver vessels and porcelains—as well as video footage documenting bilateral exchanges.

During the exhibition period, a range of educational programs will also be offered to enhance visitors’ understanding of the exhibition. The “In-Depth Lectures on Royal Heritage Culture” series (for adults; July 1, 8, and 15) will explore the history of diplomatic relations between Korea and France over the past 140 years, the gifts exchanged between King Gojong and President Sadi Carnot, and the significance of gifts exchanged between national leaders since the establishment of the Republic of Korea. In addition, “Guided Exhibition Tours with Activity Sheets” (for students in grades 4–6; July 4–August 1, 2026; eighteen sessions in total) will provide an opportunity for students to experience the long history shared by Korea and France, gain a better understanding of diplomacy and reflect on the future of Korea–France relations as a Global Strategic Partnership.

Following its presentation at the National Palace Museum of Korea, the exhibition will travel to the Presidential Archives in Sejong City, where it will be on view from August 14 to September 13, providing residents of the Sejong region with an opportunity to experience this special exhibition.



Attachments: 1. Photos
2. Promotional Materials.