Online Showcase of “Commemorative Medal for

Emperor Sunjong’s Enthronement”

– The National Palace Museum of Korea to Present on YouTube

through Video Entitled Curator’s Choice – February / Starting February 2 –

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The National Palace Museum of Korea (Director: Kim Dong-Young), an affiliate of the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea, in conjunction with the special exhibition Military Rituals – Symbol of the Joseon Dynasty’s Military Power (Jan. 19–Mar. 1), will shed light on the “Commemorative Medal for Emperor Sunjong’s Enthronement,” an artifact that offers a glimpse into the Western-style military uniform and medal system of the Korean Empire. This medal has been selected as the “Curator’s Choice” for the month of February, and it will be available for view offline at the Korean Empire Galley of the Museum and also virtually through a video released on the internet (via YouTube) starting February 2.  

*Commemorative medal: a badge-type medal that was made for state events

*National Palace Museum of Korea YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/gogungmuseum

Cultural Heritage Administration YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/chluvu

This medal was worn by civil and military officials on their official uniforms at the state event of commemorating Emperor Sunjong’s ascension to the throne in 1907. On the front side of the medal is featured a relief design of a Western-style helmet that was worn by emperors Gojong and Sunjong backed by oyat (a type of plum blossom native to Korea) that symbolized the Korean Empire. The front and side of the helmet are also adorned with oyat design. The helmet also features a bird-shaped ornament at the peak and a visor decorated in openwork. Adopting decorative elements that characterized Joseon helmets – jade bonghwang (a pair of mythical birds) ornament and visor with openwork decoration – the helmet design represents Korean Empire’s endeavor to maintain its tradition while embracing foreign elements.

*Openwork: a technique for producing a desired design by piercings or carvings on the surface of a material

No actual examples of the helmet have survived to today, so the commemorative medal is a valuable artifact that offers a glimpse into the period in which the Western-style commander-in-chief uniform was decided, following the establishment of the Wonsubu (Supreme Military Council) and the emperor’s assumption of the role as commander-in-chief in 1899.

Since 2019, the National Palace Museum of Korea has been giving focus every month to an object from the museum’s collection displayed in the permanent gallery through a program entitled “Curator’s Choice,” offering the public an opportunity to explore in-depth a royal/imperial treasure selected by a curator of the museum. The program can also be enjoyed virtually through high-quality videos shared on the museum website (gogung.go.kr) and YouTube channels of the museum and the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea.

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