Preparations are actively underway to file a suit against the French government over some 350 ancient Korean records the French army confiscated in 1886.

A civic group seeking the return of the records said Tuesday that it has launched such preparations in response to the French government's refusal to return ancient Joseon Dynasty royal records and “Oegyujanggak” books preserved at the French National Library.

Oegyujanggak, or “Outer gyujanggak” was an auxiliary facility of the royal library “Gyujanggak” during the Joseon Dynasty period. The books were taken from the facility by the French during the “Byeongin Yangyo” incident, an invasion of Ganghwa Island by a French naval fleet in 1866.