Conclusion

This book analyses the interrelationship between South Korea’s cultural diplomacy and international museum practice, demonstrating how cultural policy and exhibitions have been mutually constitutive in shaping historical change. Centring on the notions of instrumental uses of culture, historical specificity, and meaning-making, the study links the evolution of South Korean cultural diplomacy with major international exhibitions of Korean art in so-called ‘universal’ museums. It argues that cultural diplomacy developed through three stages of transformation, each accompanied by shifts in how exhibitions and curatorial practices were deployed abroad. Exhibiting Korean culture in international museums has always been a political act, as the interpretation of cultural materials carried diplomatic implications and reflected state agendas. Yet, over time, the role of exhibitions has become less overtly instrumental, as both the objectives of cultural diplomacy and the institutional actors leading museum collaborations have diversified. By tracing these changes, this book highlights the dynamics through which South Korea negotiated national identity, projected soft power, and participated in the politics of cultural representation on the global stage.