Returned Seogosa Temple Arhats: A Free Exhibition in Jeonju Until November 29

September 16–November 29, 2026, special exhibition hall at Jeonju National Museum; free admission.

국립전주박물관Returned Seogosa Temple Arhats: A Free Exhibition in Jeonju Until November 29 — Official listingVerify exhibition dates, venue and visit conditions with the museum.

Why it mattered at publication

Until November 29, visitors can explore a local heritage story of stolen and recovered Buddhist figures.

Jeonju National Museum and Seogosa Temple are jointly presenting 'Return to the Sanctuary: The Arhats of Seogosa Temple in Jeonju' from September 16 to November 29, 2026, in the museum's special exhibition hall. The museum explicitly states that admission to the exhibition is free.

Seogosa Temple enshrined sixteen arhat statues. According to the museum, eight of the sixteen were stolen in 2004, then recovered in two phases in 2014 and 2020. The exhibition commemorates their return and presents research about these Buddhist figures. 'Arhat' refers to an enlightened Buddhist disciple, while 'sanctuary' here describes a place of religious practice.

The venue is Jeonju National Museum, 249 Ssukgogae-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk. The exhibition is free; any linked education programme has separate arrangements. Check the museum's current visitor guide for opening hours, closures, guided sessions or bookings not specified on the individual listing.

What we're seeing

The official account says eight of sixteen statues were stolen in 2004—not the entire set. The curatorial focus is the return and study of local Buddhist heritage.

What we still don't know

Education-booking availability, guided-tour sessions, temporary closures and same-day access conditions were not confirmed by this exhibition detail page.