Culture Minister Choung Byoung-gug says the return of ancient Korean royal books from France is a de facto return, welcoming the books' home after being away 145 years overseas.

At a news conference at the National Museum of Korea on Thursday, the minister said that the return of "Oegyujanggak" was the result of the government's consideration of international practices and all other aspects, dismissing the criticism that the royal books were not returned permanently, but rather, loaned.

Chung added that even though France holds the ownership of the books, there will be no problems to hold exhibitions and utilize the texts.

In addition, he said that the government will carefully deliberate and decide on whether to designate the returned books as the nation’s cultural asset.

The minister said that the royal texts will be displayed at the national museum from July 19th through September 18th.