Complete Folding Map 'Daedongyeojido' Unveiled at National Museum
Creatrip Team
6 months ago
The National Museum of Korea has displayed the Daedongyeojido — a landmark Joseon-era map created by cartographer Kim Jeong-ho in 1861 — fully unfolded for the first time. Composed of 22 panels that divide the peninsula into north–south strips of 120 li (about 47 km), the map was designed to fold east–west for portability. Its depiction of mountain ranges and waterways is so precise it rivals modern satellite maps. Because the complete map measures about 6.7 m tall by 3.8 m wide, only portions had been shown previously; museum staff high-resolution photographed all 22 volumes, printed them on hanji (traditional Korean paper), and joined them to display along the central “Path of History” wall. Museum director Yoo Hong-jun said the exhibit offers visitors a rare chance to experience Kim Jeong-ho’s achievement and the beauty of Korea’s landscape up close.
