In 2022, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) redefined museums not merely as exhibition institutions but as inclusive and accessible social platforms that embody community participation and sustainability. This paradigm shift has broadened the...
In 2022, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) redefined museums not merely as exhibition institutions but as inclusive and accessible social platforms that embody community participation and sustainability. This paradigm shift has broadened the cultural and social responsibilities of museums, presenting a timely challenge for the forthcoming Korea National Design Museum, scheduled to open in 2028, to align its operational strategies with this new definition. This study aims to propose practical strategies for the Korea National Design Museum to function as a 21st-century public cultural institution. Using the revised ICOM definition as a theoretical framework, the research identifies the museum’s core operational values and derives strategic recommendations through comparative case studies and expert insights. First, an analysis of four major domestic design exhibitions—Seoul Design Festival, Seoul Design, Design Korea, and Define Seoul—revealed structural limitations, including a lack of continuity in exhibition planning, shortage of specialized personnel, and insufficient digital archiving systems. In parallel, a qualitative survey was conducted with 37 design professionals to gather practical perspectives on the necessary roles and functions of the museum. The study then employed ICOM’s six key values—Inclusivity, Accessibility, Participation of Communities, Sustainability, Knowledge Sharing, and Ethical and Professional Operation—as an analytical lens to examine how international design museums such as Cooper Hewitt, the London Design Museum, the Vitra Design Museum, and the Red Dot Design Museum embody these principles. These institutions implement a range of strategies, including digital engagement, community-centered programs, education-based exhibition models, and sustainability-driven practices—providing meaningful benchmarks for the Korean context. Based on this analysis, the study proposes five strategic directions for the Korea National Design Museum: (1) democratization of design through inclusive and accessible curation; (2) sustainable exhibition planning based on cyclical content structures; (3) a community co-curation system grounded in local participation; (4) an archive-centered knowledge platform that ensures ethical and professional documentation; and (5) an integrated operational model that connects education, appreciation, creation, and dissemination. These strategies aim to transform the museum into a future-oriented public platform that advances knowledge production, civic engagement, and cultural dialogue. From an academic perspective, the study offers a new analytical framework that applies ICOM’s 2022 definition to the specific domain of exhibition strategy, thereby bridging museology and curatorial practice. Unlike previous studies that focused broadly on museum functions, this research translates international theory into a practical model for exhibition operation, expanding the scope of design-focused museum studies. Practically, the study outlines actionable solutions for challenges in Korea’s current design exhibition ecosystem—such as fragmented planning, lack of expertise, and limited archiving—from the standpoint of field professionals. By integrating qualitative insights, it delivers feasible and policy-relevant strategies that can serve as a roadmap for the planning and sustainable operation of the Korea National Design Museum. These findings hold potential for broader application in public cultural institutions, including exhibition policy-making, content development, and community-based initiatives.