Visitors view a full-scale print of Daedong Yeojido (Great Map of the East) at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul, Feb. 24, 2026. AJP Han Jun-gu

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SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - On the first floor of the National Museum of Korea, there is a "History Path." On one wall hangs a massive map—the Daedong Yeojido (Great Map of the East) by Gosan Kim Jeong-ho. The exhibition "Unfolding Daedong Yeojido" has been on display since Feb. 12.

Visitors view a full-scale print of Daedong Yeojido (Great Map of the East) at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul, Feb. 24, 2026. AJP Han Jun-gu

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Originally, the Daedong Yeojido was a folding map divided into 22 volumes for portability. However, to commemorate the 160th anniversary of Gosan's death, the museum connected and mounted all 22 volumes printed on traditional Korean paper to recreate the map in its complete form on the wall, measuring approximately 6.7 meters in height and 3.8 meters in width, equivalent to a three-story apartment building.

A full-scale print of Daedong Yeojido (Great Map of the East) is displayed at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul, Feb. 24, 2026. AJP Han Jun-gu

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Kim Jeong-ho, who created the Daedong Yeojido in 1861, was a geographer who dedicated his life to mapmaking. To create the map, he traveled around the country's eight provinces three times over 30 years and climbed Mt. Baekdu eight times. The name "Daedong Yeojido" means "Map of the Great Eastern Country," reflecting an independent consciousness free from Chinese influence.

Visitors view a full-scale print of Daedong Yeojido (Great Map of the East) at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul, Feb. 24, 2026. AJP Han Jun-gu

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Visitors walk along the History Path at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul, Feb. 24, 2026. AJP Han Jun-gu

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Han Jun-gu 사진기자 jungu141298@ajupress.com

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