Rapid industrialization in Korea has destroyed and polluted the nature and environment, leading to the extinction of many living creatures. There has been an urgent need for an establishment that would collect, preserve and exhibit our natural property. Thus, the Seodaemun District Office decided to establish a comprehensive natural history museum as a part of its local development strategy to develop Seodaemun as a center o education and culture as well as to satisfy the citizen's cultural needs. After 6 years of planning and construction, the museum opened on July 10th, 2003.