South Korea returns looted Qing dynasty lions to China in cultural diplomacy win
The News
South Korea returned a pair of Qing dynasty marble lion sculptures to China in a ceremony at the Kansong Art Museum in Seoul. The sculptures, each 1.9 meters tall and weighing 1.25 tonnes, were handed over as a gesture of cultural diplomacy. The move is seen as an effort to repair bilateral ties between the two nations, with senior cultural officials and diplomats from both sides in attendance.
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The return is framed as a symbolic gesture to repair bilateral ties.
The sculptures are male and female lions.
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Key findings
The return is a symbolic gesture to repair bilateral ties through cultural diplomacy.
South China Morning Post- The return is framed as a symbolic gesture to repair bilateral ties.
- The handover ceremony occurred in Seoul with senior officials from both countries.
Plain English
Loaded language removedSouth Korea has returned a pair of Qing dynasty (1644-1911) marble sculptures to China, a symbolic gesture as the two nations work to repair bilateral ties through cultural diplomacy.
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Claims
The return is a symbolic gesture to repair bilateral ties through cultural diplomacy.
South China Morning PostSouth Korea returned a pair of Qing dynasty marble sculptures to China.
South China Morning PostThe sculptures are male and female lions.
South China Morning PostEach lion stands 1.9 meters tall and weighs 1.25 tonnes.
South China Morning PostThe handover ceremony was held at the Kansong Art Museum in Seoul on Thursday.
South China Morning PostThe lions were set to depart for China on Friday.
South China Morning PostSenior cultural officials and diplomats from both nations attended the ceremony.
South China Morning Post