The worthy of museum can be interpreted by how great its collection ,
exhibition , research , and education are. As the number of museums increases
recently, museum' s ro1e were extended and subdivided . Especially, research
and examination for the collection and historica1 re1ics increase in number.
Moreover, the number of specia1 theme and re1ated research grow up. A
research for new1y found re1ics and rescue excavation become museum' s task
In modern art, it is natura1 that an art museum participates in basic events
which contribute to new art activities. However. it is hard to conclude that this
current in korean museums are affirmative.
In the past , Korean museums' research and study had priority over
exhibition and education. It was a resu1t of the period that museum had to
concentrate on research over their proper tasks such as collecting, exhibition ,
and education because there were not enough specialists and organization that
can do unearthing. Since the declaration of independence in 1945, the Nationa1
Museum of Korea has great1y contributed to study ancient culture of the Shilla
Kingdom through unearthing the old tombs in Gyeong Ju City. In addition. the
National Museum of Korea managed unearthing important relics and rescue
survey till the specialized heritage institution was established. On the other
hand. in 70s. there was a boom of heritage research in Gyeong Ju City and
many researchers were needed in Gyeong Ju City to unearth relics. As a
resu1t . many researchers from universities competitively participated in
unearthing and examination. and the data and researcher for ancient history
greatly increased in number. The government and pub1ic organization leaded
the unearthing and examination: though . it was mainly used by individua1s.
Throughout this boom. many specialists were produced. Although there were
numerous researches , their results have not been systematized. It resulted in
not only insufficient contents but also private possession of the outcome of
research. Therefore , it is hard to integrate these researches as national result.
The research and examination of the museum are naturally influenced by the
time. As the boundary among the university, national museum and private
museum becomes clear. the direction of the research and examination is
distinct. From now on. museums'research should be focused on its collection.
Furthermore , the local museums should try to find their own color to appeal.
The private museums have to condense their research and theme to establish
novel direction: especially, special theme museum and art museum. When
museums' works were not subdivided , museums inclined to do unearthing and
examination. However, museums' tasks have been changed to provide a study
and education for the collection. Since the international current claims a
museum to be a service institution rather than a research institution , we may
not be able to resist the flow.