145. Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation

Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation.

About 210,000 Korean cultural assets have been leaked abroad, of which about 3,000 Korean cultural assets are owned by France.

The Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation was an organization that worked for the return of Korean cultural assets that had been leaked overseas.

“Haa… Taesik, when will we be able to see the real Jikji in Korea?”

The roof of the Overseas Cultural Foundation building.

Secretary-General Lee Tae-gul let out a sigh of cigarette smoke.

Cha Tae-shik, head of the fact-finding department, shook his head as he took a sip of a cigarette.

“I do not know…? Wouldn’t it be difficult before we were alive?”

“Is that right? Still, if I have a dream, I want to bring Jikji to Korea while I am alive, Taesik.”

“I wish that day would come. But the French, who know the value of Jikji better than anyone else, would never offer it.”

Jikjisimcheyojeol.

The world’s largest extant metal movable type produced at Heungdeoksa Temple in Cheongju.

Baekun, a monk at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty, was a booklet containing the teachings of high priests related to Seon Buddhism.

Around 1890, Colin de Plancy, who served as the first minister to Korea after the Korea-France Treaty of Amity and Commerce, collected Jikjisimcheyojeol from Korea and sent them to France.

Since then, it has been exhibited here and there in France, and in 1972, it was certified as the world’s oldest metal type, 78 years earlier than the ‘Gutenberg Bible’, which was originally known as the world’s first metal type, and was listed as a UNESCO Memory of the World.

Currently, it is classified as a valuable copy of the National Library of France and is strictly kept in a separate safe.

“Our Jikji… Even though it is such a great Korean heritage, the French National Library is reluctant to even borrow it! It’s frustrating, it’s frustrating.”

“But we actually have nothing to say… Jikji, unlike other cultural assets, was purchased legally by a Frenchman at the end of the war…”

“That’s why you don’t even want phantom water. It would be nice if they could rent it out and put it on display in Korea.”

“To be honest, it won’t be easy for them. After all, there is no provision for exemption from seizure of cultural properties in Korea…”

“Then, what’s wrong with the ark of the arrangement?”

The ark of the arrangement is the first ‘Hangeul Uigwe’, a book that is presumed to have been compiled in 1800 for King Jeongjo’s mother, Hyegyeonggung Hong.

“Isn’t that also the ‘Colain de Plancy’ guy?”

“Is the ark of organization honestly Flash or Plansy? They tricked Emperor Gojong into exhibiting them in Paris and ransacked them. Thinking about it makes me mad.”

Back then, in 1900, Colin de Plancy persuaded Emperor Gojong to allow the ‘Arch of Tidying’ to be exhibited in Paris.

However, he cleverly created an atmosphere so that it would not be returned to Korea, and then collected it himself.

“How about the Naju contact line? I can’t find it anymore in Korea.”

At the Fan Museum in Paris, France, a Naju folding fan, a type of high-end fan from the Joseon Dynasty, is on display.

It is a high-quality fan containing the essence of Naju Seonjajang (a fan craftsman) in the past, and the inflow route has not been revealed.

It was also a cultural property that could not be found in Korea as its existence was cut off in Korea.

“Where would that be? It’s a problem because there are so many children who need to be returned. Haa… is there any way to get it for free?”

At the words of Secretary General Lee Tae-gul, Cha Tae-sik burst into laughter.

“Even President A, do you say such trivial things. If you’re not crazy, would you give it away for free? what kind of guys are they You remember how much you worked hard when you returned the Oegyujanggak Uigwe. In fact, it’s a little bit like a complete return.”

“know. Know. how stupid they are How hard was Dr. Byung-sun Park’s sabotage from the French government? The funny thing is that they came to Korea, but they still own the ownership. They are really funny.”

“You have to experience the same to know how we feel.”

“Ugh. That’s how it is. I can’t see the road, so I’m sitting here talking about useless things. Let’s go down.”

“Let’s go down and have a cup of coffee.”

dili li li

As I was about to throw away the butts in the ashtray in the smoking area on the roof, President Lee Tae-geol’s cell phone rang.

“Yes, this is Lee Tae-geol. Yes. I am the Secretary General. yes? Where are you? I think you dialed the wrong number. I am the Secretary General of the Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation. yes? Is that right?”

Lee Tae-gul tilted his head, checked the caller ID once more, and brought the phone to his ear.

“Honestly, over the phone, I have a hard time understanding. Yes, come see me then. I’ll see you then.”

Lee Tae-girl scratches her head as she puts her phone in her pocket.

Cha Tae-sik asked with a curious expression.

“Where did you come from and get such a weird reception?”

“Stella…I heard it was entertainment?”

“Yeah? Where?”

“I don’t know. Entertainment planning company. I heard that Song Kyu-ha belongs to it?”

“Five! It’s a very big company. But why did you call the president from there? Are you debuting too? ha ha ha”

“men and horses. Don’t talk nonsense. What are you moving there? Suddenly, there is a way to return Korean cultural assets in France, so I want to consult.”

“These days, celebrities’ agencies do that kind of thing too? Isn’t this a prank call?”

At Cha Tae-shik’s words, Lee Tae-gul shook his head.

“I had my doubts too, but he sent me a photo of his business card via text message. I heard you’ll come visit me later?”

“Ohh. I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s fun, right? Can I come in too?”

“Either way. No matter how you look at it, an acquaintance has an antique and will ask you how much it will cost. I’m busy, but I can’t stop the person who wants to come, eh.”

Lee Tae-gul grumbled and went down to the office.

***

Stellar Entertainment.

After finishing the call, Han Jeong-hee smiled and put the phone down.

“Even if it were me, it would be absurd. If an entertainment agency suddenly calls and brings up the issue of returning cultural assets, who wouldn’t?”

Han Jeong-hee remembered the phone call from Kyu-ha a few days ago.

“What kind of accident did you have this time…”

To be honest, if Han Jeong-hee hadn’t had the trust with Kyu-ha, she would have said, “Are you crazy?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Who would believe it if a person shooting a movie in France suddenly called that they had found some artifact!”

In any case, Han Jeong-hee knew well that Kyu-ha was not a person who joked about things like this or lied, so she called the Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation with an iron plate on her face.

Jeong So-ra, the head of the public relations team, who had been eavesdropping on Han Jeong-hee’s phone call from the side, approached with her eyes shining.

“Is it related to Gyuha? What is it this time?”

“Haa… I don’t think there’s anyone who works here as dynamic as me. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the French Prosecutor’s Office, and the Presidential Residence are not enough, so now the Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation? This is the first time I know that such a foundation exists in the world.”

“Ahahahaha, that’s right. Usually, only broadcasting stations or production companies come and go, but there is no one like Han who goes to places that are difficult for others to go to so many times.”

“Can you stop looking at me with such a proud expression? Am I upset?”

“Why? Still, there is no room for boredom. Every time I work, dynamic things happen. It’s not some kind of Conan, but incidents happen wherever Kyu-ha goes.”

“It’s okay to be bored, so I hope you don’t have an accident. Now, when I get a call from a number I don’t know, I get scared. I want to go somewhere again this time.”

“So what? Say something. You are curious.”

At Jung So-ra’s urging, Han Jeong-hee, whose face turned red, looked around.

“Only Sora should know this. Um… how to say this.”

Seeing Han Jeong-hee, who was hesitant and unable to open her mouth easily, Jung So-ra’s heart was worn out.

“What the hell are you talking about? Where else did you get someone from?”

“No, that’s not it… Haa… They found an artifact… in France. And that’s right, so…”

“Yeah? Speak a little louder. I can’t hear anything.”

Then Han Jung-hee, who closed her eyes tightly, spoke to Jeong So-ra.

“Mr. Kyu-Ha accidentally discovered an amazing artifact in France! So I thought about how to do it.”

“……?”

Jeong So-ra’s face only spread absurdity.

***

Lobby on the 1st floor of the Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation.

“My name is Lee Tae-gul, who is the secretary general of the Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Cha Tae-shik, the head of the fact-finding department.”

“I will greet you. I am Han Jeong-hee, director of Stellar Entertainment, whom I contacted.”

A strange scene unfolded in which people from two completely unrelated organizations exchanged business cards.

Cha Tae-sik, who received Han Jeong-hee’s business card, fiddled with it curiously.

“This is true. As I live, there are all sorts of special things. After receiving all the business cards from directors of celebrity agencies. ha ha ha. By the way, I am a big fan of Song Gyu-ha.”

“Good for you. The reason I contacted you was because Song Gyu-ha was involved.”

Lee Tae-geol’s expression became ambiguous.

“The reason you contacted us is that it has something to do with Song Kyu-ha? Um… I’m presumptuous, but what does it have to do with…? If you would like to inquire about the appraisal or sale of cultural properties, it is not our responsibility. ha ha ha.”

“It’s not like that… It sounds like a bit of an absurd story, but I’d appreciate it if you listened to it until the end.”

Tae-gul Lee and Tae-sik Cha had no choice but to adjust their posture and sit down as Han Jeong-hee spoke in a serious tone with a stiff face.

“All right. tell me If we can help, we should help.”

“It’s unclear where to begin, but… Song Gyu-ha is currently filming a movie in Normandy, France. It’s been about two months since I moved over there now.”

“ah! I think I read an article about beating a Paris terrorist and shooting a French movie. As expected, he is a world actor. But what does that have to do with why you found us?”

“I got a call from Gyu-ha Song that he had found an artifact of high religious and historical value. They say it’s Archbishop Aubert’s records and related holy relics, but I’m not sure what they are.”

“Yeah? What is that all of a sudden…?”

Lee Tae-gul and Cha Tae-sik were dumbfounded by the sudden talk.

“You must be embarrassed. I understand. I’m not saying this as a joke, though. Our Mr. Song Gyu-ha, he doesn’t know jokes. And I’m not even talking nonsense. I would appreciate it if you would think about it under the assumption that everything is real.”

“Keep… honestly… that’s hard to believe. I’m not an archaeologist, but it’s nice from how an actor would find such an artifact. Let’s assume that you’ve yielded a hundred times and found a real artifact like that. So why did you contact us?”

“Instead of handing over the relics to France, Mr. Song wants them to be enshrined in a place designated by Mr. Song. They also said that it would include conditions for the return of Korean cultural assets owned by France.”

At those words, Cha Tae-shik’s eyes twinkled.

“Five! That’s enough to get quite a lot of cultural assets back, right?”

“Hey, calm down. If those artifacts are real.”

“Oops… that’s right. I was so excited at the moment.”

Secretary General Lee Tae-geol looked at Han Jeong-hee heavily.

“We have nothing to say. To be honest, if I was like anyone else, I would have already kicked out of my seat.”

“Haa… I understand. So, may I offer you a suggestion?”

“You say yes.”

“Are you thinking of going to France with me?”