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제 2 호 Give Us Back Our Spirit

  • 작성일 2019-06-01
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Kicker: WORLD



Give Us Back Our Spirit


Efforts to Urge the Return of Stolen Cultural Heritages



By Ju-eun Yeon/Reporter

Yeonje1113@naver.com


  2019 is a special year for the Korean people. This is because it is the 100th anniversary of the establishment of an interim government in South Korea. We thank them for knowing how many activists have sacrificed their lives until independence and should be reminded that the present Republic of Korea has blossomed under their aspirations.South Korea, which has entered the ranks of advanced countries at an amazing development rate, but on the other hand, the dark shadow does not disappear due to the aftereffects of war. It is cultural assets that have been looted and not returned. We will explain the reason through a combination of interests and take a look at many of Korea’s cultural assets that have yet to be found. Finally, I will recognize the people who are trying to return the cultural assets.


▲ The People Who Engaged in An Interim Government in South Korea



Why is it Difficult to Get the Cultural Assets Back?


  Prior to starting the article, I want to inform you that this article has nothing to do with the cultural assets that have been legally exported.What I want to talk about are cultural assets that have been taken out by illegal processes such as forced looting, robbery due to colonial rule, occupation, and war.Countless cultural assets in Korea also went to Japan, the United States, and France during the Japanese colonial period and the Korean War.Since the plundering of cultural properties by colonial countries by great powers in Korea as well as in the era of imperialism was serious, international disputes about the return of cultural assets are frequently occurring in many countries.Therefore, the United Nations (U.N.) is also attempting to establish international agreement related to the return of illegal cultural assets.However, due to the lack of force, the return of cultural assets is being made in the form of negotiations, donations, and purchases of the state.

  Why would a country that owns the exported cultural assets not want to return them? That's because of the economic effect.In fact, most of the collections of the Louvre in France, one of the world's three largest museums, were taken away by force when Napoleon swept across the European continent. Although this is a gloomy story, the number of tourists visiting these works is 10 million as of 2018, and the annual admission fee earnings are about 76 billion won.Most countries that benefit from cultural benefits, including France, are claiming to maintain cultural assets in a well-preserved place like this.



The Number and Type of Korea’s Illegally Leaked Cultural Assets 


  Then, where are most of the cultural assets that have been illegally exported from Korea? There are about 168,000 Korean cultural assets, and 71,000 of them are located in Japan.Moreover, our cultural assets in Japan are high in the national treasure and treasure class, and they are rare cultural assets that belong to Korea. They are distributed throughout all fields of Korean history, and it is difficult to write Korean art history, Korean archeology, etc. without referencing these cultural assets in Japan.Some of the stolen cultural assets include the Joseon Daewonsu helmet and Joseon King's armor of Joseon King Ikseongwan and Mongyudowondo. Moreover, Uigwe is one of the most representative stolen cultural assets. At the time of the invasion of the Joseon Dynasty by the French army, the treasures of the Joseon royal family in Ganghwa-do were plundered and burned. One of the most representative of them is the Uigwe. 


The Picture of Uigwe


The Picture of Mongyudowondo 


A Person Who Has Made Efforts to Return Cultural Assets


  Uigwe has now returned to Korea on a lease basis due to public interest and the efforts of the government.The return of Uigwe was made possible by the constant efforts of a person. Now, I will tell you about one person who makes an effort to return our cultural assets. It is Dr. Park Byung-sun.She has been informed by the Korean media in 1976, and France dismisses her for confidentiality. After the dismissal, she visited the library everyday as a visitor and studied about the return of Uigwe.She lived her life as a pensioner with a penny level and devoted her entire life to the Uigwe. The Uigwe finally returned to Korea in 2011. This is the result of her 36 years.


▲ The Picture of Dr. Park Byung-Sun(1929~2011)


  It is hard to get the money back because it is difficult to prove that cultural assets that were shipped abroad are illegal. As mentioned earlier, however, cultural assets taken out of the country after steady efforts by civic groups and individuals were known to the public and bore fruit. If there is such a steady public interest and effort concerning the illegal transfer of cultural assets, there is a possibility that other cultural assets could also be returned. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, let's bring back the spirit of the Korean people through steady attention as well.



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