More than 250,000 Korean cultural heritage items are scattered across foreign countries after being dispersed through theft, looting, gifts, purchases, and other means over the years, according to official tallies.
The Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, an agency under the Korea Heritage Service, announced Wednesday that Korean cultural artifacts spread across various countries total 121,143 items, or 256,190 pieces when counted individually, as of January 1 this year. The figures are based on surveys of 801 institutions including museums and art galleries across 29 countries including Japan, the United States, and Germany. The count increased by 8,472 pieces compared to January last year (247,718 pieces). Statistics on Korean cultural heritage abroad have been steadily rising as the government expands its surveys.
Since its establishment in July 2012, the foundation has been tracking Korean cultural heritage worldwide and collecting related information. Given that ownership details and acquisition histories of cultural artifacts are often not clearly disclosed, authorities and academics estimate the actual number of dispersed items is likely higher.
Japan holds the largest number of Korean cultural heritage items. Confirmed Korean artifacts held by major Japanese cultural institutions including the Tokyo National Museum and private collectors total 110,611 pieces, accounting for approximately 43.2% of all overseas Korean cultural heritage. The United States (68,961 pieces), Germany (16,082 pieces), and the United Kingdom (15,417 pieces) followed.
Korean cultural artifacts left the country for various reasons. Large-scale theft and looting occurred during incursions by foreign powers in the late 19th century and Japanese colonial rule in the early 20th century. Some items also left through legitimate transactions, collecting, donations, or gifts.
Korea Heritage Service Administrator Heo Min said at his first press conference after taking office in July last year: "Korean cultural heritage scattered overseas is estimated at about 247,000 pieces (at that time). We will definitely recover cultural heritage confirmed to have been looted. We will also make every effort to receive items that left through other means via donations and other methods."
A major achievement last year was the return of the entire Gwanwoldang building, a royal shrine that had been taken to a Japanese temple during the colonial period. As of January this year, 1,299 items (2,855 pieces) of overseas Korean cultural heritage have been recovered through the foundation, with donations accounting for 96.2% (1,249 items) of returns.