One-thousand-205 ancient Korean royal books will be coming home in just a few months.

The lower house in the National Diet of Japan, the Japanese Parliament, has approved the return of the ancient texts to South Korea.

The books were seized during Japan’s colonial rule of Korea in the first half of the 20th century. The volumes include “Joseon Wangsil Uigwe,” a record of royal ceremonies and rituals.

A vote has been scheduled for mid-May in the upper house of the Japanese Diet to complete the ratification process. However, treaties only require passage in the lower house to become effective.

The South Korean government has hailed the Japanese parliament's approval to return the ancient Korean royal books, which are expected back in Korea by late May and no later than July.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Cho Byung-je said that Seoul hopes the two nations will further expand cultural cooperation and exchanges after the approval of the agreement.