• Journal of The Korean Digital Architecture Interior Association
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2012

Museums in Korea have a long history of 100 years. It is not too much to say, though, that in fact, they in the history have lasted only for 20 to 30 years. Daejeon World Expo in 1993 and the foundation of local governments in 1995 not only played an important role in the growth of museums, but also affected the spatial development in terms of architecture and exhibition. Based on the theoretical background of museums' historical, formative, and exhibition-spatial changes, this study grasps the changes in public museums established during the last 20 to 30 years, and analyzes the changing roles of museums in the future. The preliminary study shows that the formative and spatial changes of museums partially resulted from the changes in visitors' pattern. Besides, as a result of the utilization of PEST Analysis, a macroscopic competition analysis method, it turned out that the construction of public museums in Korea was promoted with in mind the political and social significance after the establishment of the autonomous government. For unique museums to be established in local regions, it is necessary to proceed with a consistent investigation on museums in various perspectives rather than merely relying on the administrative exhibition services led by the organizations.