South Korea’s civic cultural organizations are bashing the government for its agreement with France on the return of Korean ancient books that were looted by French soldiers in the mid-19th century.

The organizations, including the Korea Cultural Heritage Policy Research Institute, said in a statement Tuesday that the government held humiliating and failed negotiations with France on the return of “Oegyujanggak” books, since the return will be in the form of a permanent loan rather than ownership.

They also criticized the government for having agreed to put some of the “Oegyujanggak” books and other Korean cultural relics on display in France in 2016, which marks the 130 anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

They demanded that the government disclose the details of the negotiations on the return of the ancient books and hold related officials responsible for the failure to secure permanent ownership.

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