A South Korean province has published a book on testimonies of how Korean cultural assets were illegally taken abroad. The release comes amid heightened interest these days on efforts to bring the properties back home.

North Gyeongsang Province together with the Korea Cultural Heritages Redemption Headquarter Corporation published "Times That Shouldn't Be Forgotten," a 470-page book on cultural assets taken overseas. 

Provincial officials collected witness testimonies and records from November 2012 for one year and conducted on-site inspections in 23 cities and counties. They also verified the materials through consultation with experts.

The work focused on cases of illegal excavation and the pillaging of cultural properties during the Japanese colonial period and the Korean War. 

The publication is the first of its kind in the country.