Korean historic artefacts, including those stolen by the Japanese during wars or other crises in the history of the country, are found abroad, most of them stored in Japan, as the heritage authorities announced on 18th February.

The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) and Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation (OKCHF) say that as of the beginning of this year, a total of 256,190 Korean artefacts in 121,143 cases had been found outside the country.

The number is calculated by surveying 801 institutions comprising museums and art galleries in 29 countries such as Japan, the United States and Germany.

 Having 110,611 items, Japan was identified to have the largest portion of Korean cultural relics, representing 43.2 per cent of all foreign cultural depositories.

Then came the United States with approximately 68,000 Korean artefacts, Germany with more than 16,000 and Britain with approximately 15,000. 

It is estimated that many artefacts were stolen or looted in the late 19th century during foreign intervention and during the colonial occupation of Korea by Japan in 1910-1945, and also through legitimate dealings when they were taken to other countries.

The KHS and the OKCHF have been engaged in attempts to repatriate cultural artefacts that had been stolen illegally in Korea.

 The figures have reached 2,855 items sent back to the country by the OKCHF as of January.