Difficulties Persist in Recovering Overseas Cultural Assets... Only Two Personnel Assigned for Identification
Assemblyman Lee Byung-hoon "Limitations of Cultural Heritage Return Policy"
"Must Join the Atmosphere Reflecting on Predatory Collection"
Poor conditions for the repatriation of overseas cultural assets have once again come under scrutiny. On the 12th, Lee Byung-hoon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out at the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's audit that "a preliminary survey to identify where and what cultural assets exist is essential for repatriation, but the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation still has only two personnel." He criticized, "Even if major world museums say they will return looted cultural assets, not knowing what to reclaim reveals the limitations of our cultural asset return policy."
On the 30th, the 'Daedongyeojido' repatriated from Japan was unveiled at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@
View original imageIn fact, the British Museum in the UK and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the US are returning cultural assets that were acquired illegally or whose provenance is unclear to their countries of origin. Museums in Germany, Japan, Israel, and other countries are also joining this trend. An international atmosphere is forming that reflects on the imperialistic era's plundering of cultural assets. However, the last surveys of our cultural assets held by the British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum were conducted in 2006 and 2016, respectively. Lee emphasized, "We also need to actively join this trend and take the initiative in repatriation."
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Our cultural assets are located in twenty-seven countries, including Japan, the US, and the UK, totaling nearly 230,000 items. A significant portion was taken out during the Enlightenment period, the Japanese colonial era, and the Korean War. It is highly likely that many were removed through illegal means such as looting and smuggling. Despite various difficulties, the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation achieved the repatriation of 1,719 items last year and this year. Lee stated, "To reclaim more cultural assets, detailed surveys and an increase in personnel must be supported."
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