Cheongwadae: 'Minambul' Should Return to Its Hometown Gyeongju

Gyeongju Cultural Heritage Repatriation Citizens' Movement Headquarters Demands Return

The Gyeongju Cultural Heritage Repatriation Citizens' Movement Headquarters demanded the return of the Gyeongju Square Pedestal Stone Seated Buddha Statue in front of the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 25th. This Buddha statue was elevated from a Seoul City Tangible Cultural Property to a Treasure in 2018. Originally located in Gyeongju, it was taken to the Governor-General's Residence at Waeseongdae, the current site of the Blue House, by Terauchi Masatake, the first Governor-General of Korea during the Japanese colonial period. The statue is estimated to have been made in the 9th century. It measures 108 cm in height and 54.5 cm in shoulder width. Due to its handsome appearance, it is called the 'Handsome Buddha.' The movement headquarters stated, "It was illegally taken from Gyeongju to Seoul during the Japanese colonial period," and argued, "Since the Blue House is now open to the public, there is no reason for it to remain on the premises." They also demanded, "Please return the Buddha statue, trapped in the 'Ninefold Palace,' to its hometown of Gyeongju as soon as possible." The petition containing their voices was delivered to the Presidential Office.