The 'M650 (Sabuk Coal Mine)' Museum, located in Sabuk-eup, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do, has officially opened, preserving the history of the coal mines that fueled South Korea's industrialization and the lives of the miners who worked there.
Kangwon Land announced that the official opening ceremony for the M650 Museum was held on the 7th, attended by CEO Kim Do-kyun and approximately 600 local stakeholders.
M650 is a coal mine heritage cultural space created by preserving the industrial legacy of the former Dongwon Coal Mine Sabuk operation, which ran from 1963 to 2004, while integrating modern cultural and tourism content.
The total site and floor area span 66,755㎡. It began welcoming visitors on the 1st, and with the official opening ceremony, it has now entered full-scale operations.
The ceremony began with a memorial service to honor the miners who dedicated their lives to national industrial development, followed by commemorative speeches, the presentation of appreciation plaques, celebratory performances, and a tour of the museum.
At the museum, visitors can explore facilities that offer a glimpse into the actual work and daily lives of miners, such as the safety lamp charging room and the coal washing plant. Other highlights include a cafe converted from the hoist engine room and experiences like riding mine carts.
The museum also features special exhibitions that blend coal mining industrial heritage with contemporary art, moving beyond simple preservation to utilize the site as a new cultural tourism asset.
Kangwon Land will operate a free permanent exhibition docent program four times a day on weekends, and starting on the 17th, it will launch more specialized paid educational programs.
To celebrate the official opening, the museum will be free for all visitors throughout the month of October.
In conjunction with the opening of M650, the '2026 Coal Mine Culture Festival' is being held at the museum and throughout the Sabuk area until the 10th.
This year's festival is a joint effort by five cities and counties that have transitioned from coal industries: Jeongseon, Taebaek, Yeongwol, Samcheok, and Boryeong. Linked with the 30th Coal Culture Festival, it presents the history and culture of coal mining through various performances and interactive programs.
During the event, there will be local promotional and experience booths, street art performances including dance dramas, musicals, circus acts, and magic shows based on coal mining culture, as well as constellation talk shows, jazz performances, and concerts.
On the evening of the 10th, the final day of the festival, a High1 Signature Fireworks Show will take place around the M650 Museum.
Kangwon Land CEO Kim Do-kyun stated, "I feel a deep sense of mission in opening the M650 Museum on a site that holds the history of South Korea's industrialization. I hope the Coal Mine Culture Festival serves as an opportunity for local residents and tourists to experience the value of coal mining in a new way."
