일본 유출 문화재의 환수 및 활용 방안

Abstract

In light of the fact that there are several stolen cultural properties now still in Japan, there is a need for realistic and various strategies to achieve repatriation of those national treasures. Repatriation through government negotiations between the two countries may help if times and situations are right. However, the Korean and Japanese governments do not agree in many ways in the interpretation of the treaty for cultural properties signed between the two countries in 1965 and, therefore, it is quite unrealistic to expect such negotiations to bring any immediate outcomes. On the other hand, repatriation through private religious and cultural exchange had recently yielded better results such as the recent return of a few cultural properties, but this could also be jeopardized if national sentiment were to be involved. Therefore, it is important that any attempt for repatriation be made actively and continuously through international laws and organizations, and, at the same time, it is necessary to adopt an approach of rebuilding trust with Japan, considering the longstanding cultural and historic relations between these two countries, which are in fact neighboring countries belonging to the same East Asian cultural area. This essay attempts to present two practical strategies: one, properties should be repatriated, and the other, properties should remain as they are and be utilized in Japan with the aforementioned considerations. For the properties to be repatriated, the following are the proposed considerations. The first step is to urge the Japanese government to disclose a listing of all Korean cultural properties in their country, and, at the same time, promote academic and cultural exchanges that are aimed at examining the actual conditions and facts. Once the stolen cultural properties are confirmed and identified, the Korean government should then repatriate those national treasures. The second step is to collect and gather data on the particulars and circumstances behind the transfer of property and its origin. Third, promote actual repatriation through donations from private organizations and individuals that may actually own some of the stolen cultural properties. Lastly, this essay suggests that there should be a shifting and expanding repatriation method from the transfer of ownership to other forms of repatriation such as permanent lease, long-term lease, exchanges, and exchange exhibitions. In doing so, repatriation strategies become more practical and diversified. On the other hand, for the properties that should be utilized locally in Japan, there is a need to find ways to utilize such properties locally with the premise that cultural properties are the symbols of national identity and culture, and those transferred properties could be utilized to promote Korean culture when the transfer is inconclusive or if the transfer was done through proper cultural exchanges. In this case, the first step is to promote Korean culture by supporting Japanese museums and art museums that showcase Korean cultural properties in an exhibition room or corner specifically designated for Korean properties as part of their collection. The second step is to create opportunities to promote the greatness of Korean culture by supporting research and education programs of organizations that possess Korean properties. Lastly, it is necessary to observe these two strategies－repatriation and utilization－in seeking the repatriation of stolen cultural properties. Only through comprehensive strategies for repatriation such as combined efforts from the two governments and private organizations and continuous and active involvement of international laws and organizations could there be a meaningful result in recovering cultural treasures.