A committee in charge of the return of ancient Korean royal books, or the “Joseon Wangsil Uigwe,” says that 1,205 ancient Korean books that are currently housed at the Japanese Imperial Household will return as early as late May.

The South Korean committee said on Monday that the return of the books is likely to pass at the plenary session of the Japanese Lower House easily as the ruling party is a majority party.

It added that even if the return fails to pass at the Upper House's session set to open next month, the approval by the Lower House automatically takes effect within 30 days.

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said in a statement in August last year that Tokyo will return ancient books and cultural assets that his country took from the Korean Peninsula during the colonial period. The leaders of the two nations signed a related agreement in November.