On June 4, 2026, as France and Korea celebrated the 140th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, the Hanwha Foundation of Culture and Paris Centre Pompidou opened Centre Pompidou Hanwha in Seoul Yeouido district.
The inauguration marked a landmark project of exchange and cooperation between the two countries and the birth of a new institution dedicated to modern and contemporary art in the heart of Seoul.
As Centre Pompidou started earlier this year a multi-year long renovation, two new Centre Pompidou locations, in Seoul and Brussels, are opening in 2026. This marks a significant milestone in the institution’s history. The opening of Centre Pompidou Hanwha in Seoul strengthens Centre Pompidou’s international vision and its commitment to deepening ties with local audiences and artistic scenes.
In the summer of 2023, under the auspices of the French Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Centre Pompidou signed a partnership agreement for the creation of a Centre Pompidou Hanwha in South Korea. This exhibition space of over 11,000 m², was designed by the famed architecture firm Wilmotte & Associés, and is housed in the iconic 63 Building in Yeouido, Seoul’s financial district.
The choice of Seoul as a partner city is no coincidence, as the Republic of Korea—and Seoul in particular—has seen its museum and cultural offerings grow and diversify significantly over the past decade. The exhibitions held there attract a large and diverse audience, both national and international, every year.
As part of this unique collaboration, and during the renovation of Centre Pompidou’s historic building in Paris, a series of eight monographic and thematic exhibitions—two per year over five years—will be presented, drawing from the modern collections of Centre Pompidou’s Musée national d’art moderne.
A new institution dedicated to modern and contemporary art
Each year, Centre Pompidou Hanwha will present two major exhibitions based on the Centre Pompidou collection. Spread over nearly 1,500 m² in a space entirely dedicated to Centre Pompidou, these exhibitions will focus on the artists and movements of the 20th century.
At the same time, the museum will host a series of contemporary art exhibitions, highlighting Korean artists and connecting the major narratives of art history with the country’s cultural context. This programming will offer cultural and educational activities for Korean audiences, complemented by an educational space where young visitors can explore and interact with works of art.
Designed as a museum resolutely turned toward the future, Centre Pompidou Hanwha builds on Centre Pompidou’s tradition of innovation and offers a renewed interpretation of its collection in light of the Korean cultural and artistic context. Each exhibition will be based on original research and curated jointly by Korean and French teams.
Polemics around the Hanwha Foundation
Last Thursday opening occurred however amid controversy over allegations of art-washing. Some 100 domestic and international civic groups and arts organizations demonstrated against the involvement of the Hanwha Group with the Centre Pompidou.
Hanwha is indeed an important Korean defense conglomerate with a growing involvement in the cultural sector, perceived as art washing. Many artists blame the Group for its ties with Israeli defense companies.
The foundation rejected claims, by stating that it operates as a “nonprofit organization” dedicated to supporting artists and promoting international cultural exchange.
As a new cultural landmark in Seoul, the foundation sees the Centre Pompidou Hanwha ias a place of encounter and sharing, open to both residents and tourists.
