Korean royal seals dating back to the 16th century will return home after being illegally taken out of the country and ending up in the U.S.
 
The Cultural Heritage Administration said Friday that it completed a joint effort with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to seize the seals of King Hyeonjong and Queen Munjeong from the Joseon Dynasty. 

The agency said the seals will arrive in the nation soon and will be unveiled to the public at the National Palace Museum of Korea in August.
 
Royal seals are produced for kings, queens, crown princes and crown princesses for ritual means. They signify the royal family’s legitimacy and power.
 
The two seals were taken out of South Korea at an unknown time and ended up in the hands of an American in Los Angeles.
 
The American sold the seal of Queen Munjeong to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 2000 and kept the seal of King Hyeonjong.
 
The U.S. Homeland Security Investigations confiscated the seals in September 2013 after the Cultural Heritage Administration requested an investigation into the theft of the seals earlier that year.