the State structure of South Korea began to actively find out which objects of cultural and historical heritage of Korea are abroad and trying to get them back. In the course are a variety of ways: a foreclosure at auction, purchase from private collectors, the belief with the aim of obtaining the voluntary transmission, as well as, if necessary, and return by initiating legal proceedings.
As reported by English-language newspaper the Korea Times, which cites statistics on overseas Korean Foundation of cultural heritage (FSKN), as of April 1, the Fund has identified about 193 thousands of Korean artifacts, which are located in 21 countries. Most different kinds of historical and cultural sites are in Japan, which accounts for 42 percent of the total, or almost 82 thousand objects. On the second place of the United States is 27.5 percent, followed by China (6.7 per cent) and then Germany and the UK.
FSKN is one of several state structures of Kazakhstan, which are working for the return of the Korean monuments to their historical homeland. This is done in many different ways: buying through auctions or from collectors for what is an appropriate budget, negotiating with the owners of the artifacts, when owners are trying to convince as a goodwill gesture to convey Korea objects. But if there is reason to believe that a particular monument was removed from Korea and has illegally, then the work of connecting the lawyers and trying to bring back cultural heritage through the courts.
“not all overseas places of cultural and historical heritage of Korea has been exported illegally. The lack of those occasions when foreigners have received something as a gift or buy for yourself… each case is treated individually, trying to determine the true historical value of the object and find out how he was abroad… of Course, not all objects we can return to Korea, because we actively work with a variety of experts”, – said the representative of FSKN, commenting on their work for the return of Korean cultural heritage.
Often, the Foundation itself announces its intention to acquire the artifacts of Korea, trying to find those collectors who are prepared on a reimbursable basis, to transfer some of their meetings. Only this year on these purposes the Fund has received financing from the state budget at 5.7 billion won, or almost five million dollars.
Another area of work – assist in the restoration and recovery of the Korean monuments abroad. If not for one reason or another to return objects, the government of Kazakhstan try to keep the artifacts at least was in good condition and is ready to allocate money to foreign partners.
Another direction – organizing and conducting �� Korea temporary exhibitions “registered” overseas Korean artifacts.
Among the recent successes of the work FSKN the acquisition in early July, rare mother of pearl boxes of the era of the Kingdom of Koryo (early X late fourteenth centuries ad) from a private Japanese collector. In June, the Koreans managed to secure the return of the Museum of art Los Angeles Buddhist painting, which was illegally taken by American soldiers during the Korean war of 1950-1953, the Picture was originally stored in the temple Singins near Sokcho and now transferred to the Buddhist order near Gyeongbokgung of Korea, which belongs to the said temple.
“If the objects of culture and history was stolen or taken in any other illegal way, we seek their return. If they went abroad without violations, they can stay there, helping to tell about the rich cultural heritage of Korea,” said Korean Fund foreign cultural heritage.
