Detail

Cultural heritage that has left our land for various reasons, such as theft, looting, trade, or gifting in the past, is referred to as `overseas Korean cultural heritage.` As of January 1, 2025, approximately 240,000 pieces of cultural heritage are located abroad, scattered across 801 museums and art galleries in 29 countries worldwide. The Korea Heritage Service is collaborating with the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation to investigate the current state of these heritage items and is actively pursuing efforts to repatriate significant cultural assets to Korea. Since 2022, restoration funds have been utilized to support the repatriation of overseas Korean cultural heritage. The Old Korean Legation in Washington, D.C., is a building that was purchased with the privy purse provided by Emperor Gojong. It served as the Korean Legation in the United States from February 1889 until the Protectorate Treaty (Eulsa Treaty) in 1905, acting as a communication channel between Korea and the U.S. During the Japanese occupation, it became a symbol of the independence movement, inspiring Korean Americans in their determination to restore national sovereignty. As the only 19th-century diplomatic mission in Washington, D.C., that has retained its original form, it was designated a National Register of Historic Places in September 2024. Purchased by the Korea Heritage Service (then the Cultural Heritage Administration) in October 2012, the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation manages the property and operates as a historical exhibition hall. The 「Woodblocks for Cheokam`s Anthology」 are printing blocks for the anthology of Cheokam Kim Dohwa (1825–1912), a late Joseon scholar and anti-Japanese militia leader. These blocks were created around 1917 to print his writings and are one of over 1,000 woodblocks produced for this purpose. Despite his advanced age of over 80, Kim Dohwa led anti-Japanese battles, denouncing the injustice of the 1905 Protectorate Treaty and demonstrating his determination for Korea`s independence. In February 2019, it was confirmed that the woodblock was listed in an auction in Germany through the auction monitoring efforts of the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation. In April of the same year, it was repatriated through donations from Riot Games. The repatriated woodblock is now housed at the Korean Studies Institute, along with 20 other woodblocks from the same collection, which were preserved domestically. Emperor Gojong used the 「Seal of Emperor Gojong of the Korean Empire」 on secret letters sent to France, Russia, Germany, and Italy in opposition to Japan`s usurpation of Korean sovereignty. Considering the precarious situation of the nation at that time, it is presumed that it was difficult to use the royal seal publicly. Because the emperor directly supervised its use, it was crafted smaller than other imperial seals of the Korean Empire to make it more portable. In February 2009, it was acquired by the National Palace Museum of Korea and returned to our country. It was designated a National Treasure in September of the same year and is currently preserved at the museum. The 「Documents Related to Late Joseon Militias」 consist of 13 documents, including proclamations, announcements, orders, and letters, bound into two scrolls. These documents include letters related to the 13-do Changeuigun (a nationwide armed resistance alliance) and vividly detail militia activities, the Japanese suppression of militias, and the unyielding resistance of Koreans during the late Joseon period. Notably, the acquisition process of documents confiscated by the Japanese military police is clearly recorded, offering valuable insights into the lineage of this cultural heritage. Purchased from Japan using restoration funds in July 2024, the documents are now housed at the National Palace Museum of Korea. These cultural heritages symbolize the determination to protect Korea`s independence and cultural identity during the Japanese colonial era. They deliver an important message as we approach the 80th anniversary of Liberation in 2025. May this serve as an opportunity to reflect on the historical value and significance of the four rediscovered pieces of cultural heritage and appreciate our cultural heritage`s value collectively.