The Old Korean Legation in Washington D.C.

, The Old Korean Legation building was originally built in 1877 as the residence of Seth Ledyard Phelps (1824-1885), a Civil War veteran, politician and diplomat. This building served as a diplomatic base in the United States, functioning as a legation for both the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire for 16 years. This period began in February 1889 when diplomats of the Joseon Dynasty first occupied the premises, continuing until Japan stripped away diplomatic rights in November 1905. Following the forced annexation of Korea by Japan in August 19190, ownership of the building was forcibly transferred to the Japanese government. Subsequently, it was repurposed as a recreation center for African Americans during World War II in the 1940s, became an office for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union in the 1960s, and eventually converted into a private residence from the 1970s onward. The Korean American community has long endeavored to reclaim ownership of this building. In October 2012, the Korean government repurchased it, restoring it as an exhibition hall showcasing the longstanding diplomatic relations between Korea and the United States. It reopened in May 2018. Presently, the building stands as the sole structure among the 19th-century foreign legations in Washington, D.C. retaining its original form. It is esteemed as a significant cultural heritage, sharing its historic value with both Korea and the United States.

① 1877: Building constructed (Seth L. Phelps' House) , ② 1889: Korean Legation established , ③ 1905: Japan forces cessation of Korean Legation , ④ 1910: Japan forces sale of the building , ⑤ 1945: Liberation of Korea , ⑥ 2012: Korean government purchases the building , ⑦ 2018: Old Korean Legation opens

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