Created in 1946, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) as well as an advisory organization of UNESCO that has approximately 19,000 members from about 150 nations around the world, including heads of museums, curators, and experts. International committees, national committees, regional bodies and other affiliated organizations join forces to carry out various activities under ICOM. At its General Conference, a large-scale international conference held every three years and clearly the most prestigious international event in the cultural community, more than 2,000 heads of museums, curators and other related experts from the British Museum, the Louvre and other world-renowned museums take part in active discussions and exchange of ideas where each committee, regional body and affiliated organization convene for meetings on each field.

In the 58-year history of ICOM, this marks the first time the General Conference and the General Assembly of the International Council of Museums will be held in Asia. Active discussions will take place under the theme, "Museums & Intangible Heritage" which symbolizes the abundant traditional culture of Korea as well as various other Asian nations and the subject of serious interest of experts from museums around the world.