"Visitors Lining Up at 4 a.m. to See the Crown That Fascinated Trump"—Gyeongju Museum Implements Entry Limits Amid Surging Crowds

[Financial News] The special exhibition 'Crowns of Silla: Power and Prestige,' which for the first time displays all six Crowns of Silla together, is drawing intense interest. Long lines formed from the very start, and ultimately, the number of visitors had to be restricted.
On the 3rd, Gyeongju National Museum announced on its website and social media accounts that weekday attendance would be limited to 150 people per session, with a daily maximum of 2,550 visitors.
Organized to commemorate the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju and the 80th anniversary of the museum’s opening, the exhibition saw a surge of visitors as soon as public viewing began the previous day.
This is a rare event, as it is the first time in about 104 years since the Gold Crown from Geumgwanchong Tomb was discovered in 1921 that all six crowns are displayed together. Interest is especially high because the actual Gold Crown from Cheonmachong Tomb, which President Lee Jae Myung recently presented as a model to U.S. President Donald John Trump during the Korea-U.S. summit, is also on display.
According to the museum, visitors began lining up well before the doors opened at 10 a.m., with some people reportedly arriving as early as 4 a.m. to see the exhibition.
Initially, the museum separated the flow of visitors between the permanent collection and the special exhibition. However, as crowds continued to grow, staff began distributing numbered tickets on site.

Ultimately, the museum decided to restrict the number of visitors during the exhibition period. Tickets are distributed on site starting at 9:20 a.m., with 17 sessions on weekdays and 23 sessions on weekends. Visitors are allowed to enter in 30-minute intervals at designated times.
The museum explained, "We have decided to limit the number of visitors to ensure safety and a pleasant viewing environment in the exhibition hall," adding, "We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause."
Meanwhile, the 'Crowns of Silla: Power and Prestige' special exhibition at the Silla History Exhibition Hall features a total of 20 artifacts, including the Crowns of Silla and gold belts, which are representative cultural heritages of Silla. Among them are seven National Treasures and seven Treasures, offering a comprehensive glimpse into Silla’s golden culture.
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter