1. The sixth International Conference of Experts on the Return of Cultural Property will take place in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do (north Gyeongsang province), south of Seoul, from October 17 to 19, co-hosted by the Foreign Ministry and the Cultural Heritage Administration.

2. The “International Conference of Experts on the Return of Cultural Property” has been held on an annual basis since 2011, bringing together experts and civil society activists from such countries as the Republic of Korea, China, Turkey and Greece whose cultural heritage has been dispersed. Its purposes are to discuss ways to prevent cultural property from being stolen and illegally taken out of the country of origin; to share relevant information; and to seek effective ways to repatriate cultural heritage through international cooperation.

3. At the forthcoming meeting, the experts and the members of civil societies of the participating countries will highlight the importance of the protection and repatriation of cultural assets and seek new ways to do so. It carries significance in that it will take place in Gyeongju, a city of rich cultural heritage in the ROK.

4. After the meeting, a Gyeongju declaration containing the outcome of the meeting will be adopted. Going forward, the Foreign Ministry will do its utmost to support exchanges and cooperation among experts and civil society members of other countries in efforts to prevent illegal trafficking of cultural properties and to effectively repatriate them.


* unofficial translation