House Of Sharing

What House Of Sharing does

House of Sharing (나눔의 집) is a nonprofit social welfare corporation founded in October 1992 under the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism through the Buddhist Human Rights Committee. Originally established in Seoul Mapo-gu as the world's only shared residential facility for survivors of Japanese military sexual slavery ('comfort women'), it relocated in December 1995 to its current 85 Gasaegol-gil site in Toechon-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, on land donated by Cho Young-ja. As of 2025, surviving residents had largely departed the facility and the institution has pivoted to operating primarily as a memorial and educational complex rather than a residential care home. The attached Japanese Military 'Comfort Women' History Museum (일본군'위안부'역사관), opened in 1998, is the only Class 1 Museum in Korea dedicated specifically to this subject and holds the largest known collection of victim testimonies, survivor artwork, personal artifacts, and historical records, many catalogued as national documentary heritage with the National Archives Service. In 2026 the museum was re-designated as a Career-Recognized Institution by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Museum of Korea, formalizing its role in training certified curators.

The organization operates exclusively on a non-commercial basis: museum admission, education programs, and cultural events are provided free of charge to all visitors. Revenue is generated entirely through individual donations, corporate sponsorships (eligible for 100% income tax deduction under Korean law), a dedicated Nonghyup donation account, an SMS micro-donation channel (#7079-8140, KRW 2,200 per message), and project-specific government grants from the Ministry of Culture, Gyeonggi Province, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and the National Archives Service. Visitor access occurs through direct on-site walk-ins (operating hours 10:00–18:00 summer / 10:00–17:00 winter), group reservations for parties of 10 or more via an online reservation system, and scheduled education, memorial, and cultural programming including the 'Temperature of Time' exhibition trilogy (2026), the Village Bookstore and Book Curation program (April–December 2026), and regular Wednesday memorial concerts and village concerts.

The institution has no proprietary technology platform and no AI/ML capabilities; its core "product" is physical curation of irreplaceable historical artifacts, survivor testimonies, and educational programming delivered on-site and through outbound art-therapy workshops serving welfare centers, schools, military units, and community organizations. Outreach and demand generation operate through a multi-channel mix including the nanum.org website, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, email, press releases and official statements on commemorative dates, the 1365 government volunteer portal, and partnerships with welfare centers, school groups, and cultural organizations. The organization is governed by a board of directors under the Jogye Order and led by Representative Director Seoyoung (Jang Young-dong) monk, who took office in December 2024 following the end of term of Seonghwa (Seon Gyeong-seok) monk.

Name

House Of Sharing

Legal name

사회복지법인 대한불교조계종 나눔의집

Website

https://nanum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Short description

House of Sharing (나눔의 집) is a Korean Buddhist nonprofit foundation operating the world's only former shared residence and dedicated Class 1 History Museum for survivors of Japanese military sexual slavery, providing free memorial, educational, and curatorial training services to students, researchers, and the public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historical Museum and Memorial Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Historical Sites (712120)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cultural Heritage, Arts & Archaeology Service Programs (EDAIAGAH)

Keywords

• Historical museum services
• Human rights education
• Memorial and cultural programs
• Nonprofit welfare foundation
• Historical archive preservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Kwangju

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorship: The foundation operates primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and organizations. Corporate and individual donations are eligible for 100% income tax deduction under Korean law. A dedicated donation account (Nonghyup 351-0276-4906-73) is maintained. Regular monthly donation programs and one-time contributions are accepted.
2. Government Grants and Support: The museum receives support from government bodies including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Gyeonggi Province, and the National Archives Service for operations, exhibitions, digitization projects, and educational programs.
3. Text Message (SMS) Micro-Donation: A text-to-donate service at #7079-8140 charges 2,200 KRW per message, with funds directed to museum operations. The number 8140 references August 14, the commemorative date for Japanese military 'comfort women' victims.
4. Designated as 경력인정대상기관 (Career-Recognized Institution): Re-designated in April 2026 as a career-recognized institution under the Museums and Art Museums Promotion Act, enabling the museum to support aspiring curators in gaining practical museum experience toward official certification.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

House Of Sharing operates the Japanese Military 'Comfort Women' History Museum, a Class 1 Museum in Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, offering free permanent and temporary exhibitions, group-tour reservations, education and art-therapy programs, memorial ceremonies, concerts, and academic archives documenting survivor testimonies. Its mission centers on preserving historical truth, supporting survivors and their families, and delivering peace and human rights education to students, the general public, and international visitors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Permanent Exhibition (상설전) Year-round permanent exhibition at the Japanese Military 'Comfort Women' History Museum displaying victim testimonies, personal artifacts, artworks, and historical records documenting the history of Japanese military sexual slavery. Open to the general public free of charge.
• 'Temperature of Time: Memories Connected Through Art' Trilogy Special Exhibitions (시간의 온도 트릴로지 특별전) A three-part rotating special exhibition series held at the museum in 2026 featuring artwork by survivors who lived at House Of Sharing and contemporary Korean artists whose work connects to themes of memory, dignity, and historical remembrance.
• Education and Experience Programs (교육/체험 프로그램) Free educational programming for school groups, welfare centers, and the general public covering human rights, peace, history, and art therapy. Includes on-site museum workshops for ages 6-19, off-site 'Reclaiming My Time Through Art' outreach programs at partner welfare centers, and visiting artist talks.
• Memorial Ceremonies and Cultural Events (추모음악회 및 문화행사) Regular memorial ceremonies, concerts, and cultural events held at the museum, including the annual 설 합동차례재 joint memorial rite, 추모음악회 memorial concerts, and partnership performances with community choirs and theater groups. Free admission for the public.
• Volunteer Program (자원봉사) Structured volunteer engagement program recruiting citizens through the Korean 1365 government volunteer portal and direct application. Activities include visitor guidance, record management, translation, event support, and facility maintenance.
• Donation and Sponsorship Program (후원 및 기부금) Donation and sponsorship program allowing individuals and corporations to contribute to museum operations, survivor welfare, and education programs. Includes regular monthly and one-time donation plans, SMS micro-donations at 2,200 KRW per message, and donation receipts eligible for 100% income tax deduction under Korean law.
• Group Tour Reservation Program (단체 관람 예약) Structured group tour booking system with date selection, program options, and group size management for schools, welfare centers, military units, and other organizations of 10 or more visitors. Provides guided tours with exhibition interpretation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Re-designated as career-recognized curatorial institution in April 2026 by the Korean Ministry of Culture, confirming museum's professional standing
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 사회복지법인 대한불교조계종 (Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism Social Welfare Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1992The foundation is registered as a social welfare corporation under the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism (대한불교조계종). The Jogye Order and its Buddhist Human Rights Committee (불교인권위원회) initiated the establishment of 나눔의집 in 1992. The Order provides institutional governance, spiritual leadership, and organizational support.
• 한국장미회 (Korean Rose Society)minorOthersThe Korean Rose Society, led by President Kim Wook-gyun (김욱균), conducts annual peace rose planting and garden maintenance at the 평화의 장미정원 (Peace Rose Garden) within the museum grounds. The partnership involves ongoing seasonal planting and commemorative events.
• GGMC (경기광주 박물관협회 / Gyeonggi Gwangju Museum Consortium)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe museum participates in the GGMC joint exhibition (연합전) program, collaborating with other local museums including 깋미술관, 만해기념관, 사람박물관 얼굴, 영은미술관, and 풀짚공예박물관. The 2025 exhibition '육관육색 – 희망, 꿈을 담다' was hosted at the museum.
• 1365 정부자원봉사포털 (1365 Government Volunteer Portal)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe museum recruits volunteers through Korea's official government volunteer portal (1365.go.kr), enabling citizens to register and participate in museum support activities including visitor guidance, record management, translation, and event assistance.
• 경기도 광주시 (Gwangju City, Gyeonggi-do)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe city government provides operational support and collaborates on cultural programs. The museum is located within Gwangju City's jurisdiction, and city officials (e.g., Mayor Bang Se-hwan) have visited for exhibition openings and events.
• 경기도 문화포털 / 경기도박물관미술관지원사업 (Gyeonggi-do Cultural Programs)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGyeonggi Province's museum support programs provide funding for educational initiatives. Programs such as '내 삶의 주인공 나에게로 가는 사색' (life story art education) are supported through provincial cultural development funds.
• 경성스캔들 (Gyeongseong Scandal)minorOthersSince 2008, the '경성스캔들' drama production team has conducted annual fundraising for the museum in memory of the Japanese military 'comfort women' victims. The team visits the memorial park to lay white chrysanthemums at the graves of survivors.
• 아기천사의합창 (Agi Cheonsaui Choir)minorOthersA volunteer choir team that has supported the museum for approximately 15 years. Individual member Park Myeong-ju (박명주) donates books on Japanese military 'comfort women' issues to help visitors deepen their understanding of the history.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum: Japanese museum preserving the memory of atomic bomb victims and advocating for peace. Comparable as an internationally recognized atrocity memorial museum with education, survivor testimony, and peace advocacy missions.
• National Memorial Museum of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Occupation: Korean government museum focused on victims of forced mobilization during Japanese occupation. Highly comparable as a state-recognized atrocity memorial museum addressing overlapping victim populations and historical period.
• War Memorial of Korea: National military history museum operated under the Ministry of National Defense. Comparable as a major Korean war/military history memorial institution with similar educational and memorialization functions, though broader in scope.
• House of the Wannsee Conference Memorial and Educational Site: German memorial and educational site on the Holocaust. Comparable as a memorial/educational institution focused on atrocity history, combining preserved historical site, testimony, and peace education programming.
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: US federal memorial museum dedicated to Holocaust documentation, survivor testimony, and human rights education. Closely analogous as a high-profile atrocity memorial institution combining survivor testimony, archival preservation, and educational programming.
• Jeju 4·3 Peace Park and Memorial Hall: Korean memorial complex commemorating victims of the Jeju uprising. Comparable as a Korean atrocity memorial site combining memorial park, museum, and educational programming with government and community support.
• War and Women's Human Rights Museum: Korean museum dedicated to the history of Japanese military sexual slavery and women's human rights. Closest subject-matter peer to House of Sharing, sharing the same victim community, advocacy goals, and educational mission, though operated as a separate institution.
• Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum: Polish state museum preserving the former Nazi concentration and extermination camp. Comparable as a globally recognized wartime atrocity memorial site combining physical site preservation, testimony, and international educational outreach.
• Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall: Chinese state memorial museum documenting wartime mass atrocities. Analogous as a state-recognized atrocity memorial museum in East Asia with educational, testimonial, and historical preservation functions.

Broad incumbents

• National Museum of Korea: Korea's flagship national museum covering Korean history, art, and culture broadly. Comparable as a major Korean Class 1 Museum under the same Ministry of Culture oversight, though much broader in scope and substantially larger in operating scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCyAkx1bFIyCN5hUCAzHu56g
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=100025079951432
• Instagraminstagram.com/nanum_museum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about House Of Sharing