KJCKorea
Journal Central

Since the International society confronted the issue where cultural heritage, which is also common property of mankind, was being damaged and destroyed in large volume during wartime, they have been putting much effort in devising numerous legal safety devices for the protection of the cultural heritage. The Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the event of armed conflict, <The Hague Convention(1954)> is a specific example of the efforts that are being made for the protection of the cultural heritage. Furthermore, due to the efforts made by UNESCO to supplement the First and Second Protocol of The Hague Convention, the principles and regulations devised by the International treaty tp protect cultural heritage during armed clashes between nations have been completed. Since the cultural heritage of Korea is exposed to much danger of being damaged during wartime, the ROK should take into account joining the Hague Convention in a positive way. Moreover, ROK soldiers who are dispatched overseas should take caution whilst carrying out their duties, being careful not to damage or destroy International common cultural heritage, whether it is intentional or unintentional. The ROK is in a situation where they are not completely prepared to neither protect nor transport cultural heritage in cases of conflagration or war. Regarding the protection of cultural heritage during wartime, the cultural administration requires an earnest need to refine the system and regulations. In addition, the ROK should be more enthusiastic in finding solutions for retrieving cultural heritage that was looted during the colonial period.

Hague Convention, war & cultural property, cultural heritage, cultural plunder, cultural returns