Exhibition Launch at the British Museum

Samsung Electronics, in partnership with the British Museum, hosted a gala event on September 30 to commemorate the opening of the 'Korea' exhibition. The major showcase features works from the renowned art collection of the late Samsung Chairman <a href="https://news.samsung.com/global/tag/lee-kun-Hee">Lee Kun-Hee</a>.

Following successful exhibitions in Washington D.C. and Chicago, this event marks the European leg of the collection's international tour. Held at the <a href="https://news.samsung.com/global/tag/british-museum">British Museum</a>, it represents the first major special presentation of Korean art at the institution in over four decades. The exhibition is open to the public from October 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027, inside the Joseph Hotung Great Court Gallery.

Two Millennia of Korean History and Art

Spanning over two thousand years, the 'Korea' exhibition connects the history of Korean art in a unified narrative. It highlights how the nation's unique aesthetic values and artistic achievements have been continuously built upon and reinterpreted across generations.

The artifacts are drawn from over 23,000 works originating from the National Bequest of the Lee Kun-Hee Collection established in 2021. The exhibition itself is organized through a collaborative effort between the British Museum, the National Museum of Korea, and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea.

The London installation features 100 masterpieces, which include 10 National Treasures and 13 Treasures of Korea. More than twenty pieces are being revealed to an international audience for the first time, such as the National Treasures 'Bronze Artifacts from Bisan-dong, Daegu,' 'Bronze Rattles,' and the 'Celadon Incense Burner with Girin-shaped Lid.'

Distinguished Attendees and Gala Highlights

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal graced the opening reception prior to the official gala dinner. Among the 240 prominent guests were government leaders, public officials, and industry representatives, including Minister for Artificial Intelligence Kanishka Narayan MP and Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey MP.

During the gala, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee reflected on his family's multigenerational commitment to preserving Korea's cultural heritage. Other family members in attendance included Hong Ra-Hee, Director Emerita of the Leeum Museum of Art, Lee Boo-jin, President and CEO of Hotel Shilla, and Lee Seo-hyun, President of Samsung C&T.

Executive Chairman Lee noted the guiding family principle that art and culture must be preserved and shared, expressing his hope that the exhibition serves as a gateway into two thousand years of Korean creativity and heritage.

Honoring Veterans and Longstanding Partnerships

In his remarks, Executive Chairman Lee took time to honor three Korean War veterans in attendance, including Mike Roe. He also expressed gratitude to The Princess Royal, acknowledging her visit to Korea in July 2026 where she also honored veterans.

Highlighting more than 140 years of diplomatic ties between Korea and the United Kingdom, Lee emphasized Samsung's 80-year business relationship with the country. He noted that the U.K. has functioned as the hub for Samsung's European operations for over five decades.

Global Recognition and Legacy of the Collection

British Museum Chair George Osborne praised the collaboration, stating that the Lee family's contribution helps interpret the past to better understand the future. Meanwhile, Kanishka Narayan, Minister for Artificial Intelligence, underscored the strong technological and cultural ties between the U.K. and Korea, thanking Samsung for bringing the collection to London.

The collection's global tour originally kicked off in November 2025 at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington D.C. By connecting international audiences with historically significant Korean culture, the exhibition continues to elevate Korea's global standing and cultural appreciation worldwide.

Sources

• Samsung Global NewsroomLee Kun-Hee Collection Expands to Europe With Opening of ‘Korea’ Exhibition at the British Museum