Home | About VANK | Contact us | Notice | Site map | Downloads Vank Video | Friendly Korea | Paths to Peace | Join us |
Bookmark and Share Tell a Friend

VANK's activities

In this chapter, you can grasp our activities to introduce Korean printing methods to the world.
We’re sending letters or emails to websites, textbook publisher and media to introduce Korean printing methods. VANK, as a non-governmental organization has corrected hundreds of distorted and mistaken statements by foreign websites, governments, textbooks and media. Through these activities, we also found inaccurate information about Korean printing methods from websites and textbooks.

We cooperated with Korean scholars to change these. They analyzed inaccurate information and suggest their opinions on it. Please listen our scholars’ voice!

Letter to textbook publishers
First of all, I'd like to express my respect for publishing such an excellent and valuable textbook.
VANK is cyber diplomat whose goal is to raise the national image of Korea throughout the world. We are carrying out a variety of activities to introduce valuable information about Korea to foreigners around the world who don’t know about Korea, and show national image of Friendly Korea, Friends of the World’s in the hearts of the people around the world by promoting international exchange with foreigners and Koreans.

I am a member of VANK, cyber diplomat, and have a great interest in the metalloid type considered one of the greatest inventions in human history for its capability of mass delivery of information. I believe that the movable metal type made the Protestant Reformation and Renaissance success in world history and, in the 21st century, even global knowledge network with Internet system as well.

With such interest in the movable metal type, while we researched and examined the column of global printing described in world major textbooks, websites and encyclopedias, I happened to find inaccurate historical record of the movable metal type from the textbook published by your company. Therefore I take this chance to let you know of it and to ask to correct. On your explanation of world history about type, you introduce the movable metal type of Gutenberg, German and wooden types of China & Japan but the Jikji of Korea that has been confirmed as the first movable metal type in the world.

Jikji, a Buddhist doctrinal book called as Jikjisimcheyojeol or Jikji in short form is the oldest extant book among books made by movable metal type. It had been made in 1377, 78 years earlier than the Bible in 48 lines made by Gutenberg of German which has been known as the first book made by movable metal type in about 1455, and has been kept in the the National Library of France. For your reference, Id like to tell you that UNESCO confirmed Jikji as the world oldest movable metal type in September , 2001 and officially registered Jikji as the Memory of the World.

If you visit below website, you may find the website of UNESCO related to Jikji and systematic evidence showing that Jikji was the first movable metal type in the world

1) Website of UNESCO related to Jikji
2) Website of Cheongju Early Printing Museum related to Jikji

Your publishing company takes a critical roll as a window to deliver the accurate historical fact and truth to the students of the primary and middle schools in the world who have interest in world history. It’ll be our appreciation if you introduce the true story of the Jikji to deliver the accurate historical truth to the people in the world.

We wish to revive the spirit of creation that contributed to all people in the world by development of the world first movable metal type, the greatest invention of the 14th century in human history, by our voluntary strive in these days. And we wish to make Korea, which has grown as one of the great nations of information and communication in the 21st century, to be recorded one more time as the nation which contributes for all people of the world in world history, and to tell the people of the world of the national image of Korea.

We need your support and cooperation to achieve our dream.

Contact to VANK
Email: jikji@prkorea.org
http://www.prkorea.org


Inaccurate information on Korean printing
What website say Korean Scholars' Analysis
The art of making inked reproductions from woodblocks and movable signs was developed in the 6-8c by the Chinese and Koreans. - High BeamTM Encyclopedia Woodblock printing technique was developed in the 7-8 century China. Currently extant one is “The Mugujeonggwang daedaranigyeong” which was published in 751 AD Korea. With regard to the movable type printing technique, “Movable Type Printing” was invented by a Chinese, Bi Sheng, in 1041 and the movable metal type printing was invented in the 13th century Korea. The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France.
The Koreans had been using sand casting to make metal letters and had already been mass-producing books for at least 30 years, but the scholars found no direct evidence that Gutenberg had contact with them. - Nytimes.com During the Joseon Dynasty, Koreans had mass-produced books by using sand casting. Currently, scholars found no direct evidence that Gutenberg had contact with them.
1) The movable type metal printing press was invented in Korea in 1234
2) The oldest extant movable metal-type book is the Jikji, printed in 1377 in Korea. - Knysna Press
1) The Korean invented movable metal type technique in the early 13th century.
2) The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France.
Actually, the movable type metal printing press was invented in Korea, as early as, the 13th Century. The oldest surviving book published on such movable metal type belongs to Korea. It was published in 1377. But the invention was not fully utilised by the Koreans or the Chinese. - The Hindu In fact, the Korean invented movable metal type printing in the early 13th century. The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France.
Similar printing had been done earlier in China and Korea. In China printing from movable woodblocks was invented by Bi Sheng in 1040, and printing with movable type made of clay was also prevalent; in Korea movable copper type was invented as early as 1392. - HighBeamTM Encyclopedia Similar printing technique was tried in China and Korea earlier. In China, Movable Type Printing Printing was tried by Bi Sheng in 1041 and in Korea, movable metal type made in bronze was invented. The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France.
The printing technology could not industrialize in Korea, because there was not a element of (4)printing press machine. - ICBTT 2002 The Korean invented movable metal type printing in the early 13th century. The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France.
1) Not only did Koreans know about printing, but someone about 1200 even invented a phonetic alphabet for Korean - the system we use where each sound is represented by a single letter. Korean scholars rejected the change. They were using the complex Chinese system, considered it more elegant, and mastery of this complex system was the whole basis of their status.
2) Printing in China and Korea was used mostly for authenticating official documents, safeguarding against forgery. The idea of using printing for disseminating information widely either never occurred to anyone, or if it did, was considered undesirable. - Steve Dutch Homepage
1) The Korean not only knew about the movable type printing technique but also contrived a phonetic alphabet, Hangeul in 1443. Using Korean movable metal type, they succeeded in printing diverse documents, such as
" Weorin cheon-gang-ji-gok".
2) The Korean invented movable metal type printing in the early 13th century. The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France. During Joseon Dynasty, movable metal type printing using wood, bronze and metal had become common, and a various kinds of printings about Agriculture, Medical, Science Technique, and Confucianism were published
11th century The Chinese and Koreans continue to experiment with movable type, using clay, wood, bronze and iron. The complexity of Chinese and Korean symbols creates a major stumbling block to the process. 1440 German Johann Gutenberg invents movable type by developing foundry-cast metal characters and a wooden printing press. - infoplease The Korean invented movable metal type printing in the early 13th century. The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji’ published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France.
By 1400 Korean printers were casting metal type, but it is Johannes Gutenberg (1398-1468), a German businessman, who is credited with the invention of printing in the West. - Ted’s Photographics The Korean invented movable metal type printing in the early 13th century. The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France.
About four hundreds later The Chinese gave the world next invention, it was so called table press. They cut a picture and text into a wooden desk, after it they rubber stamped some paper with it: it is the first important step to the letter ? press. There had been invented metal moving types for press yet in Korea in this time. [ . . . ]The first book was printed this technology in 1409. - The Press The Korean invented movable metal type printing in the early 13th century. The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France.
1043 - [T] Collection of Buddhist Scriptures, the Tripitaka, was printed in Korea using movable metal fonts (Knops 1998). - Dr Ciolek, T. Matthew - Personal Page Palman daejanggyeong had been printed on the woodblock for 16 years since 1236.

About Gutenberg’s invention
What website say Korean Scholars' Analysis
However, Gutenbergs press was wooden, and the most important aspect of his invention was that it was the first form of printing to use movable type. - MFA Talon The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France.
1450, Printing press, Johann Gutenberg German - MSN Encarta Jikji is the oldest extant movable metal type printing
The Bible, which is known as the Gutenberg Bible, was published around 1455, in an edition of about 180 copies. It is the oldest surviving printed book. - Nytimes.com The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France.
Although he[Gutenberg] was not the first to try casting metal type, the Chinese had tried it and found it too difficult to do properly. He created the first system for casting type so that the letters could form a flat surface, essential to their use in printing. - History of Science and Technology PThe Korean invented movable metal type printing in the early 13th century. The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France.
The first substantial work printed from moveable metal type, the so-called Gutenberg or 42-line Bible, produced in Mainz around 1455 by Johann Gutenberg, Johann Fust and Peter Schoeffer. - Cambridge University Library The Korean invented movable metal type printing in the early 13th century. The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France.

About Chinese printing methods
What website say Korean Scholars' Analysis
A copy of the Diamond Sutra, found sealed in a cave in China in the early 20th century, is the oldest known dated, printed book, with a printed date of 868. - Wikipedia The oldest printing is ‘Mugu jeonggwang dae darani-gyeong.’ This printing was printed on the woodblock in 751 AD Korea.
[ . . . ] The Diamond Sutra, [ . . . ] the oldest extant printed book, shows an advanced technique behind which there must have been a long evolution. - Communication Arts The oldest printing is ‘Mugu jeonggwang dae darani-gyeong.’ This printing was printed on the woodblock in 751 AD Korea.
Somebody in Tang Dynasty China, about 850 AD, had the idea of carving wooden blocks with a page of text, then inking it and pressing paper on the block to print a page. The oldest printed scroll we know of comes from northwest China, and it says on it that it was printed in 868 AD. - Kidipede ? History for Kids The oldest printing is ‘Mugu jeonggwang dae darani-gyeong.’ This printing was printed on the woodblock in 751 AD Korea.
While there are no surviving examples of the Chinese printing presses of the 11th Century, the oldest surving printed book on record is the Buddhist Diamond-Sutra of 868 AD. - Did you know? The oldest printing is ‘Mugujeonggwang daedarani-gyeong.’ This printing was printed on the woodblock in 751 AD Korea.
600 Ink on seals is stamped on paper in China, (true printing) 868 Books printed in China - A Brief History of Communication 751, printed 'Mugu jeonggwang dae darani-gyeong'
The earliest dated printed book, known as the Diamond Sutra, was produced in China in 868 CE, but it is believed that the practice dates back well before this date. The Japanese and the Chinese regularly used wood blocks carved in relief to produce Buddhist charms as early as the fifth century CE. - The Electronic Labyrinth The oldest printing is ‘Mugu jeonggwang dae darani-gyeong.’ This printing was found in Bulguksa Seokgatap of Gyeongju, Korea
In the middle 1200’s, type characters cast from metal (bronze) had been developed in Japan and China. The oldest known text printed from this type of metal type dates to the year 1397 AD. - Dynodan Printing Solutions In the early 1200, Korea invented type characters cast from metal (bronze). The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France.

About Japanese printing methods
What website say Korean Scholars' Analysis
The Japanese produced wood-block rubbings of Buddhist charms that were the first authenticated prints. - MFA Talon The Japanese printed Hyakumanto Daranigyeong in 770 AD; Korea’s ‘Mugu jeonggwang dae darani-gyeong’ was printed on the woodblock even before 751 AD.
770 Oldest surving printing: a Buddhist prayer for Japanese Empress Shotoku. - Education Technology Historical Events The Korean invented movable metal type printing in the early 13th century. The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France. “Gyemija” was printed in 1403 Joseon Dynasty

Inaccurate information on Korean Printing of American textbooks
What website say Korean Scholars' Analysis
During the Koryo period in 1234, the Koreans invented movable metal type using Chinese symbols to print books. - Global Studies : Civilizations of the Past and present During the Koryo period in the early 13C, the Koreans invented movable metal type using Chinese symbols to print books.
Temples flourished, and religious writings multiplied. The royal family had printers carve more than 81,000 wooden blocks containing the entire Buddhist scripture. The blocks can still be seen in a Buddhist temple today. The Koreans later improved printing by developing movable metal type. - World cultures, A global mosaic Temples flourished, and religious writings multiplied. Though, Koreans invented movable metal type printing in the early 13th century, the royal family had printers carve more than 81,000 wooden blocks containing the entire Buddhist scripture. The blocks can still be seen in a Buddhist temple today.
Some scholars speculate that block printing was invented in the Koryo state and then passed on to the Chinese. - How to prepare for the AP, world history 2007, 2nd edition Woodblock printing technique was developed in the 7-8 century China. Currently extant one is “The Mugujeonggwang daedaranigyeong” which was published in 751 AD Korea.
1) During the 1405 the emperor Sejong ordered the development of a Korean alphabet. The Koreans borrowed the Chinese invention of movable wood type and then improved upon it. They designed movable type blocks made of metal, which was far more durable and produced sharper images. 2) Koreans learned to use movable type from the Chinese. They advanced this technology by casting type blocks in metal. - World history : The human journey 1) Woodblock printing technique was developed in the 7-8 century China. Currently extant one is “The Mugujeonggwang daedaranigyeong” which was published in 751 AD Korea. With regard to the movable type printing technique, “Movable Type Printing” was invented by a Chinese, Bi Sheng, in 1041 and the movable metal type printing was invented in the 13th century Korea. The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France. During the 1443 the emperor Sejong ordered the development of a Korean alphabet.
2) Koreans learned to use movable type from the Chinese. They advanced this technology by casting type blocks in metal.
314P - Koreans used woodblock printing from China to produce a flood of Buddhist texts. Later, Korean inventors made movable metal type to print large numbers of books. Koreans improved on other Chinese inventions. - World history : connections to today, Volume one Woodblock printing technique was developed in the 7-8 century China. Currently extant one is “The Mugujeonggwang daedaranigyeong” which was published in 751 AD Korea. With regard to the movable type printing technique, “Movable Type Printing” was invented by a Chinese, Bi Sheng, in 1041 and the movable metal type printing was invented in the 13th century Korea. The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France.
The earliest surviving history of Korea was compiled in 1145. Printing using moveable metallic type was invented during the thirteenth century. - The heritage of world civilizations, combined volume, seventh edition The Korean invented movable metal type printing in the early 13th century. The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France.
Koryu Culture - Korean artisans produced one of the great treasures of the Buddhist world- many thousands of large wooden blocks for printing all the Buddhist scriptures. This set of blocks was destroyed by the Mongols, but the disaster sparked a national effort to re create them. The more than 80,000 blocks in the new set remain in Korea today. - World history : Patterns of interaction Goryeo Culture - Korean artisans produced one of the great treasures of the Buddhist world- many thousands of large wooden blocks for printing all the Buddhist scriptures. This set of blocks was destroyed by the Mongols, but the disaster sparked a national effort to re create them. The more than 80,000 blocks in the new set remain in Korea today. The Korean invented movable metal type printing in the early 13th century. The oldest extant metal type printing is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo jikji simche yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji,’ which was published in 1377 Cheungju, Korea and is currently kept in the National Library of France