As the only national art museum in the country accommodating both modern and contemporary art of Korea and international art of different time periods, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, was established in the small exhibition hall in Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1969 and moved to Seokjojeon in Deoksugung Palace in 1973. In 1986 the museum moved to Gwacheon with an international-sized facility and an outdoor sculpture park. The museum has been devoted to its function as a national art institution by collecting, conserving, exhibiting and researching artworks and materials, and improving art and cultural awareness through international exchanges, education and promotion of artistic activities

In 1998, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung, was established as an annex of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, with the objective of structuring the formation and history of Korean modern art. As an institution focusing on modern art, the museum promotes diverse projects such as research and study of modern art, collecting and conserving art works, permanent and temporary exhibitions, development and practice of educational programs, academic lectures, publications and exchanges of Korean modern art works and information. Newly opened in Nov 2013, MMCA Seoul is the cultural complex accommodating interdisciplinary artistic practices with enhanced accessibility.