Cultural Heritage Administration Reports Notable Increase in Retrieved Items

Courtesy of The National Palace Museum of Korea

The Cultural Heritage Administration disclosed that the number of South Korean artifacts repatriated from abroad rose significantly, reaching 1,550 this year compared to 170 the previous year.

These artifacts were acquired through acquisitions facilitated by the CHA's Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation and personal donations from collectors. 

▲ Courtesy of The National Palace Museum of KoreaAmong the retrieved items is the Daedongnyeojido, a detailed Territorial Map of the Great East created by cartographer Kim Jeong-ho. Displayed at a special exhibition by the National Palace Museum of Korea in May, this map surpasses previous versions in intricacy.

Another notable artifact mentioned by the agency is the Lotus Sutra, a classic Mahayana text in remarkably good condition, believed to date back almost 700 years.

The surge in retrievals this year is attributed to personal donations, particularly from Gary Mintier and Mary Mintier, former US Peace Corps members. Their collection, amassed between 1969 and 1975 during development assistance projects in Korea, contributed 1,516 pieces.

Mark A. Peterson, an emeritus professor of Korean studies at Brigham Young University, returned a headstone to the descendants of Park Jeong-yang, Korea's inaugural ambassador to the US (1887-1889). The tombstone had belonged to Park's wife.

In 2023, the CHA plans to undergo an overhaul, focusing on leveraging cultural heritage to stimulate economic growth by supporting startups in the cultural heritage sector. Legislative backing is anticipated to facilitate this initiative.

The agency's budget for the upcoming year stands at 1.3 trillion won ($1 billion), mirroring the allocation for the current year.

Sayart

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