PARIS: The oldest known work printed on a mechanical press — a Korean book that predates the first European example by several decades — went on display in Paris for the first time in 50 years on Wednesday.

The “Jikji”, a collection of Buddhist teachings, was printed in 1377 — some 78 years before Johannes Gutenberg produced his famous Bible using his printing press in Germany. The Korean treasure is being shown as part of a new exhibition at the National Library of France (BnF), running until July.

Since no examples of the Korean machinery have survived and the technique did not become widely used at the time, it did not have the revolutionary impact of the Gutenberg press — and the exhibition mostly focuses on European history. But it marks the first time the “Jikji” has been shown publicly since 1973, according to reports in the Korean press — reigniting hopes of its return.

“With this exhibition as an occasion, if we collaborate and build a good relationship based on trust, I think we could have a valuable opportunity to see Jikji in person in Korea in the future,” said Kim Jung-hee, chair of the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation.

The BnF says Gutenberg was probably not aware of the Korean invention, and was combining various forms of reproduction using wood and copper engravings that had been in use in Europe since around 1400, though they themselves were influenced by techniques imported from East Asia. The “Jikji” was brought to France by Victor Collin de Plancy, who became the first French diplomat to Korea in 1887.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2023