The Centre Pompidou Hanwha is scheduled to open in Seoul on June 4, coinciding with the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and South Korea. Housed in the iconic Tower 63 and designed by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, the new institution is a partnership with the Hanwha Foundation of Culture. The agreement includes a four-year brand licensing deal and a schedule of eight monographic exhibitions drawn from the Pompidou’s permanent collection.
This expansion is a strategic move for the Centre Pompidou as its flagship Paris location undergoes a massive five-year renovation until 2030. By establishing satellites in Seoul and AlUla, the institution is securing vital international funding and maintaining its global presence. The successful Seoul launch stands in contrast to the museum's recent failure to establish a branch in Jersey City, which was scrapped due to local political and budgetary opposition.