A domestic civic organization says the French government has admitted that Korea’s Joseon Dynasty royal books were confiscated by French soldiers.

According to the organization Cultural Action, the French government commented that French soldiers’ taking of the “Oegyujanggak” books in the 19th century was an “unfortunate confiscation.”

It made the remarks during a trial presided over by a French administrative court on December fifth.

However, the French government reiterated that any return of the ancient Korean royal books is impossible since they are now part of France’s national assets.

The books are now preserved at the French National Library.

The French court held a trial last Saturday over a suit filed by the South Korean group, which is seeking the return of the ancient royal books to Korea.

The South Korean organization predicts that the ruling of the first trial will be made in six months.
If the ruling is in favor of the South Korean organization, the ancient royal books will return home, following the French parliament’s approval.

But if the civic group loses the first trial, the organization will collect public donations again and file an appeal.

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