Diplomacy Journal shJung 기자 | The "Lee Kun-hee (KH) Collection," born from a donation by the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, has successfully completed its first overseas tour, impressing the world with the prestige of Korean art and culture.

Samsung held a gala dinner on the 28th (local time) at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Arts and Industry in Washington, D.C., ahead of the exhibition's closing.

"Collecting, Cherishing, and Sharing Treasures of Korea," currently on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA), is co-hosted by the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and will be on view until February 1st.

The gala dinner was attended by approximately 250 guests, including U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Rutnick, Senators Ted Cruz, Tim Scott, and Andy Kim, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and other U.S. political and business leaders, global corporate executives, and prominent figures in the cultural community. Four Korean War veterans were also invited to this event.
 

Samsung's representatives included Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong; Hong Ra-hee, Honorary Director of the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art; Lee Boo-jin, President of Hotel Shilla; Lee Seo-hyun, President of Samsung C&T; Kim Jae-yeol, President of Samsung Global Research; and other key Samsung executives.

Chairman Lee Jae-yong said, "It is a great honor to be able to present this exhibition in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. I believe this will serve as an opportunity to bring the peoples of the United States and Korea closer together."
 

He also expressed his gratitude to the Korean War veterans, saying, "Without the sacrifices of over 36,000 American veterans, Korea would not exist today."

The Smithsonian described this exhibition as "the largest Korean art exhibition ever presented by the National Museum of Asian Art," and it garnered significant attention for encompassing 1,500 years of Korean art history.

To date, attendance has reached approximately 61,000, and the number is expected to exceed 65,000 by the closing date.

This figure is more than double that of similar exhibitions held at the Smithsonian.

Memorabilia related to the Moon Jar and the Inwangjesaekdo sold out early, demonstrating the high level of interest.

Following the banquet, performances by renowned Korean opera singer Sumi Jo, pianist Yekwon Sunwoo, and violinist Nuri Jeong were held.

Following the Washington, D.C., exhibition, the Lee Kun-hee Collection will travel globally to the Art Institute of Chicago from March to July 2026 and the British Museum in London from September 2026 to January 2027.