Ministry of Interior and Safety and Cultural Heritage Administration jointly present diplomatic artifacts from both countries; touring exhibition opens at National Palace Museum in June, moves to Presidential Archives in August
A joint special exhibition commemorating the 140th anniversary of South Korea-France diplomatic relations — titled "Gifts and Records: 140 Years of Korea-France Friendship" — opens to the public Wednesday.
The Presidential Archives under the Ministry of Interior and Safety and the National Palace Museum under the Cultural Heritage Administration announced Tuesday that the exhibition will run at the National Palace Museum from Wednesday through Aug. 2, followed by a second run at the Presidential Archives from Aug. 14 through Sept. 13.
The exhibition traces the origins of bilateral diplomacy to the signing of the Korea-France Treaty of Amity and Commerce on June 4, 1886, and examines the friendly ties that have continued since the establishment of the South Korean government through gifts exchanged between the two countries' heads of state.
Organized chronologically into five sections, "Gifts and Records: 140 Years of Korea-France Friendship" offers a multidimensional look at the history of exchanges between the two countries.
The first section, "The Meeting of Joseon and France," features an earthenware wine jar presented as a token of goodwill at a meeting between a French diplomat and a Joseon official who came to rescue the crew of the French whaling ship Narval, which drifted ashore on Bigeum Island in 1851. Also on display is the "Korean-French Dictionary," the first modern Korean-foreign language dictionary, compiled by missionaries of the Paris Foreign Missions Society.
The second section, "The Signing of the Treaty and the Beginning of a Journey Together," displays documents related to the Korea-France Treaty of Amity and Commerce held in both countries, materials on the two nations' envoys after the establishment of diplomatic relations, and artifacts related to Catholicism, which flourished in Joseon as missionary activity was permitted following the treaty.
The third section, "Gifts Between the King of Joseon and the President of France," conveys the diplomatic atmosphere of the era through pieces including a painted white porcelain Salamina vase presented by French President Sadi Carnot to Emperor Gojong, and a celadon bowl given by Emperor Gojong in return.
The fourth section, "The Provisional Government of Korea and French Solidarity," highlights the two countries' continued ties during the Japanese colonial period. The fifth section, "Enduring Friendship: The Republic of Korea and France," brings the story to the present through silver tableware, ceramics, and small traditional tables exchanged by the two countries' presidents, along with letters and video footage of bilateral exchanges.
Kim Min-jae, vice minister of the Ministry of Interior and Safety, said the exhibition would give the public a chance to reflect on the meaning of 140 years of bilateral relations and appreciate the value of international exchange through records and cultural heritage. "We will continue to present a variety of exhibitions so that the public can more easily and deeply connect with the history of South Korea's diplomacy and its exchanges with countries around the world," he said.
thlee@heraldcorp.com
