YonhapSEOUL, August 9 (AJU PRESS) - Korea's historic building in Washington, D.C., is expected to be registered as a site of historical significance and worth preserving, the U.S. Federal Register said on Wednesday.
Last month, the District of Columbia recommended that the National Register of Historic Places include the Old Korean Legation Museum in its listings, citing its importance in U.S. history.
The final decision will be made by the U.S. National Park Service after gathering public opinions on whether to register the archaic building until Aug. 22. Once approved, the former diplomatic representative office from the late 1800s will be officially recognized for its historical importance and receive support for preservation from federal and state governments.
According to its website, the building is a "meaningful space that has witnessed major events in both Korean and American history. It was a cradle for the Korea-U.S. friendship."
Built in 1877, the Victorian-style building, which served as Korea's first diplomatic mission in the U.S. from 1889 to 1905, is located about 1.5 kilometers from the White House. The Korea Heritage Service here acquired it in 2012 and turned it into a museum in 2018 after a four-year restoration.
Currently, the only other Korea-related historic site with a similar designation in the U.S. is the Korean War Veterans Memorial which honors American soldiers who served during the Korean War.
