Employees of the National Library of France (Bibliothèque nationale de France) are protesting the loaning of ancient royal books to South Korea.

Twelve librarians in charge of the royal books released a statement Thursday saying that the move goes against the opinions of the French Culture Ministry and the National Library.

They said that Seoul being able to extend its loan of the books every five years is a de facto permanent return.

Other French intellectuals, meanwhile, have voiced support for the loan.

University of Paris 7 President Vincent Berger, former French culture minister Jack Lang and other members of an association supporting the loan contributed a piece to the Le Monde daily in which they called the loan of the books a diplomatic success.