What we collect

Korean Collection

See also: Korean Collection

by J.H. Fry, June 1994

The National Library of Australia began collecting publication about Korea in the early 1950s. The Korean language collection of the National Library of Australia numbers some 25,000 volumes of monographs and 1400 serial titles, as well as 39 newspaper titles and 1,174 reels of microfilm. This collection has been built as a result of active acquisition program and successful exchange relations with the Legislative Assembly Library and the Central National Library in Seoul, Korea.

The strength of the Korean language collection is in Government publications received regularly on exchange. Major exchange programmes have been established with the National Assembly Library in Seoul, with which publication exchanges began in 1965 and the Central National Library, also in Seoul, with which relations began in 1967. The Library has a further 29 exchange partners in South Korea, including the Korean Studies Library in Songnam. Gifts from individuals and institutions have also been received from time to time. For example, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Canberra has been generous in donating Korean publications to the Library, as well as other materials, including a donation of 40 films about Korea. Another major recent gift was a 72 volumes of contemporary Korean literature from Mr Michael Kent of the National Library of Australia Council.

The National Library has also maintained exchange relations with the Grand People's Study House of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (formerly the State Central Library of D.P.R.K) in Pyongyang since 1973. This exchange is almost the only source of North Korean publications obtained by the Library, apart from some materials purchased via Hong Kong.

Since 1979 Eulyoo Publishing Company in Seoul has been the main supplier of purchased Korean materials. Prior to 1979 another company acted as supplier. Eulyoo select books from their catalogues according to guidelines laid down by the Library, and then subject to additions or deletions by the Library, forward the titles required. Serials are acquired, both by subscription with 3 agencies in Seoul: Eulyoo Publishing Company; Korea Publications Trading Company and Panmun Book Company, and also by exchange.

The McLaren - Human collection, received as a gift in 1984, has significantly strengthened the National Library's Korean holdings. Originally collected by an Australian, Mrs Jessie McLaren, who lived in Korea between 1911 and 1941, the 82 titles in 150 volumes of Korean books include a number of rare and valuable works, particularly in the field of literature and history. 15 titles are from before 1890, including 4 from 1544, 1599, 1672 and 1680 respectively.

One of the most unusual publications, Samgang Haengsilto (the Three Principles of Human Relations) consists of illustrated Confucian moral tales in Chinese and Korean scripts. A complete listing of the McLaren - Human collections, which also includes some material in Japanese and Chinese, is available on request from the Asian Collections Section.

The Library uses Library of Congress catalogue cards for cataloguing Korean books. The classification system used for Korean books is adopted from A classification scheme for Chinese and Japanese books by Kai-ming Chin of the Harvard - Yenching Library. All uncatalogued monographs have interim control slips which give information about title (both romanized and vernacular forms), author, imprint and temporary classification numbers. This information is inter-filed in the catalogue with cards for the books which have been fully catalogued. Cards are filed in alphabetical order, using the McCune-Reischauer romanization. Interim catalogue records in romanized form are also being added to the Australian Bibliographic Network (ABN) for recent Korean works acquired.

During January to April 1990 a project was completed for the inclusion of the National Library's Korean language serial collection on ABN. Holdings have been added for 1219 records. A very good hit-rate was achieved against the ABN database with 874 full records found, being 72.2 percent of the total. Interim records were added for remaining 335 titles. Information on Korean serials can be found in Korean Serials in the National Library of Australia which was issued in August 1978. It contains 920 titles of Korean serials, although many titles have been added since then. This is available on microfiche in the Area Studies Guides Series from the Library's Sales and Subscription Unit.

Use of the Korean collection has been gradually increasing over recent years, both in terms of direct use by readers visiting the Library and inter-library loans. Major user groups are academics and students, government departments, the local Korean community, diplomats and the ethnic media. Greatest subject use is made of statistics, economics and trade, politics and government, sociology, literature, history and fine arts. Recent reference queries have covered topics ranging from Korean economic statistics, business administration, urban transport, electronics companies, the cattle industry and financial statements analysis, to traditional musical instruments, artists, North Korean history, and political developments in the North and South. Use is expected to continue to rise with the growing interest in Korea by the government, business and academic sectors.

Catalogued Korean monographs are included in the Union Catalogue of East Asian Monographs (UCEAM) which is maintained in the National Library. The Union Catalogue of East Asian Monographs consists of author and title entries in Chinese, Japanese and Korean. The Union Catalogue of East Asian Monographs was microfilmed on 6 reels of film in 1982. Since May 1981, the Korean Unit has been issuing a current awareness bulletin at irregular intervals as part of the Asian Collections Service. It is a selective list of materials in Korean received recently in the National Library and is free on request.

The strengths of the collection lie in the subject fields of the social sciences, especially economics, statistics, politics and government, foreign relations and law; Korean history, biography and archaeology; language and literature; philosophy and religion.

The Library has a very good collection on Korean archaeology. Efforts have been made to obtain almost everything on this subject published in Korea. Notable recent acquisitions are Sinan haejo munmul (Special exhibition of cultural relics found off the Sinan Coast, Chonnam, Korea), compiled by the National Museum of Korea. These relics are believed to have been produced during the Yuan dynasty in China around 1311; Chungdo(Joong-do site : The progress report of an iron age dwelling site in the Han Rever, Seoul, Korea); Chodo P'aech'ong (Jo-do shellmound : report on the excavation of the Cho-do shellmound, Pusan, Korea) : Songgungni I(Songuk-ni site I : reports and studies on antiquities found in the site and excavated at Songgungni, Korea). Wando haejo yumul. (Collection of ceramics, and other cultural relics found off the Wando Coast (Cholla-namdo province) which are believed to have been produced in Koryo dynasty, 1047-1082.

The Library collection is also strong in the field of history. Korean publications on Korean history published before 1446 were written in Chinese. After the Second Word War, a number of Korean scholars have engaged in the task of translating them into modern Korean. The following books are examples. Samguk sagi (The history of the Three Kingdoms 57-807) in 3 volumes; Samguk yusa (Legends and history of the Three Kingdoms in ancient Korea); Yokchu Koryo sa (History of the Koryo dynasty, 918-1392) in 10 volumes. The Library holds many reprints of old publications in this particular subject: Sungjongwon ilgi (Diary of the Royal Secretariat) in 58 volumes; Choson Wangjo Sillok (The chronological history of the Choson (Yi) dynasty, 1392-1863) in 48 volumes; Ilsongnok(Official daily record, 1760-1910) in 44 volumes; Han'guk saryo ch'ongso(A collection of Korean historic data, 1392-1863) in 27 volumes; Tongguk t'onggam (The general history of the East State) in 28 volumes.

Holdings on the period of Japanese occupation, 1910-1945, and on the Republic of Korea since 1948 have developed greatly in the last 20 years. The joint U.S./U.S.S.R. Commission period, 1945-1948; the Republic of Korea, 1948-; the Korean War, 1950-1953; the April Students Revolution, 1961; the May coup d'etat, 1961 are all represented. Covering these periods we hold several works including: Ilche ch'imnyak ha Han'guk 36 nyon sa (36 years of Korean history during the Japanese invasion, 1919-1945) in 10 volumes; Han'guk tongnip undong sa (The history of the Independence Movement in Korea, 1919) in 4 volumes; Charyo Taehan Min'guk sa (Materials on the history of the Republic of Korea, 1945-1948) in 7 volumes; Han'guk nonjaeng sa (Series on the arguments in Korea, 1945-1975) in 5 volumes; Han'guk hyongmyong chaep'an sa (History of the Korean revolution, 1960-1961) in 5 volumes; Han'guk chonjaeng (The history of the Korean War, 1950-1953) in 4 volumes; Han'guk kundae sa non (Essays on the modern history of Korea, 1910-1945) in 3 volumes; Mi kunjong chongbo pogoso (History of United States Army Military Government in Korea, 1945.9-1948.11) in 15 volumes; Hyondaesa ui chungon (Testimony of Korean modern history) in 13 volumes; Kukpi Ilbon in Hangak chimmjak savgo chargso (Secret mateials on the history of the Japanese invasion of Korea, 1984-1906) in 10 volumes.

Materials on Korean biography have been built up in some depth. Important acquisitions in this subject include: Chongo taebang (Biographical dictionary of outstanding Koreans) in 2 volumes; Kukcho inmulgo(Biographical dictionary of the Yi dynasty, 1392-1910) in 3 volumes; Ch'ongbaengni chongsin kwa yolchon (Biographies of clean-handed government officials); Widaehan Han'gugin (Biographies of Korean leaders) in 12 volumes; Han'guk inmul och'onnyon (Biographies of eminent Koreans) in 10 volumes; Han'gugin ui chokpo (The generalogical book of Korea). The Library also holds many individual biographies in all periods.

The coverage of Korean economics and sociology is not as strong as for the subjects above however. Works on Korean social customs and manners, economic development of industry, rural groups, public finance and commerce have been built up in the past few years. The Library holds many single books by various authors on this subject: Han'guk in'gu munje wa taech'aek (Problem of Korean populations and counter measures; Han'guk 50 tae kiop kurup chaemu punsok charyojop (Analysis of financial statments -Fifty major business groups in Korean); Han'guk ch'ollak sahoe sa yon'gu(A study on the history of Korean rural communities); Sae maul (The present state of Korean peasant organizations and their activities); Han'guk kajok chedo yon'gu (A study of the structure of Korean families); Han'guk minsok paengnyon sa (One hundred years years of Korean folklore); Han'guk poksik sa yon'gu (A study of Korean traditional costumes); Han'guk minsok taegwan (A comprehensive view of Korean folklore) in 4 volumes; Charyo Han'guk kyongje paltal sa (The development of economics in Korea since the opening). The Library holds an almost complete set of a series on the Korean economy published by the Korean Development Institute and Korea Institute (KIET).

Materials on Korean government and foreign relations in the Library's collection are mainly government publications acquired from our exchange partners. The most important book on the history of the Korean government to date is Kukhoesa (The parliamentary history of the Republic of Korea) in 3 volumes: Imsi chongbu (A history of the provisional Korean government situated in Shanghai, China, 1915-1945 during the Japanese occupation)in 5 volumes; Taehan Min'guk konguk simnyon chi (10 years after establishment of the Republic of Korea); Ku Han'guk oegyo munso (The offical gazette of foreign relations) in 22 volumes; Ku Han'guk oegyo kwangye pusok munso(The supplementary official gazette of foreign relations) in 8 volumes.

Notable acquisitions on law in recent years are Taehan Min'guk hyonhaeng pomnyong chip (Collection of laws and statutes of the Supreme Court in Korea, 1965-1970) in 45 volumes; Taebobwon p'allye chip (A compendium of judicial precedents from the Korean Supreme Court, 1947-1969) in 19 volumes; Choson wangjo hyongsa chedo ui yon'gu (Studies on the original law and procedure of the Choson (Yi) dynasty, 1392-1910; Kundae Han'guk chaep'an sa (A modern history of judicial systems in Korea).

The Library's collection on religion is quite significant. In fact there is nothing so significant in the whole Korean collection as Koryo Taejang-gyong (Tripitaka Koreana) in 1340 volumes. The Tripitaka Koreana was published in 1011 A.D. by means of wood block printing. The Library's copy is one of the eight copies made from the original blocks and bound in the same size as the original. Other important books on Buddhism in the Library's collections are Han'guk hwaomgyong (The Korean translation of the sacred writings of Buddhism) in 4 volumes; Han'guk sach'al ssiriju(Series of Buddhist temples in Korea) in 17 volumes; Han'guk kosung chip (Biographies of famous Korean monks) in 11 volumes; Silla pulgyo sorhwa yon'gu (A study on Buddhist tales of the Silla Kingdom, 57 B.C.); Yijo sillok pulgyo ch'ojon (A compilation on Buddhism in Korea from Yijo sillok which is the veritable record of the Yi dynasty, 1392-1910) in 6 volumes;

Choson kamnihoe yonhoerok 1893-1940 (Official minutes of the Korea mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1893-1940) in 15 volumes. Kyonghyang chapchi (Catholic conference of Korea, 1906-1962) in 54 volumes.

The Library's collection is also strong in language and literature. Holdings of books on Korean classics and literature are very good. Before the Japanese occupation, Korean culture had long been influenced by China but eventually it developed its own style of Korean literature. Important works on this subject include; Yoktae Han'guk munpop taegye (A comprehensive collection on Korean grammar published from the 1870's to 1960's) in 28 volumes; Kugohak charyo sonjip (A collection of Korean classics on linguistics from the Koryo dynasty (935-1392) to the early part of the Yi dynasty) in 5 volumes; Sokpo sangjol (A reprint on the life of Buddha originally published in 24 volumes, written by Prince Suyang in 1447. The book includes valuable source material on the study of the use of Han'gul); Kogum songnim (A comprehensive dictionary of the Korean language) in 4 volumes; Han'guk pangon sajon (A dictionary of the Korean dialects); Pukhan yongo tae paaekkwa (An encyclopedic dictionary of terms used in North Korea) Pangonhak yongu nonmunjip (Collected materials on Korean dialects thesis, 1954-1985) in 9 volumes; Han'gul p'ilsabon ko sosal charyo ch'ongso (Polygraphical collection of classic Korean novels) in 51 volumes; Segye munye tae sajon (Encyclopedia of art and literature); Han'guk kojon munhak chonjip (An anthology of classical Korean literature) in 10 volumes; Chang, Chun-ha chonjip (Complete works of Chang chun-ha) in 3 volumes.

The Library's coverage of Korean fine arts is gradually developing. As with literature, Korean fine arts has a close relationship with China but it has also developed and preserved a distinctive cultural heritage of its own. Important acquisitions in this subject include; Hyewonjon sinch'op(A facsimile reproduction of the collection of Hyewon's drawings, one of the greatest painters of the Yi dynasty, 1758-?) in 30 plates; Han'guk minhwa (A collection of Korean folk paintings which have survived throughout Korea); Han'guk misul och'onnyon (5000 years of Korean arts); Han'guk soye (Korean calligraphy from the collection of the National Museum of Korea); Han'guk kundae hoehwa paengnyon, 1850-1950 (One hundred years of Korean painting, 1850-1950); Han'guk akki haesol (traditional musical instruments of Korea); Han'guk kagok tae chonjip (The best of Korean lylic songs) in 5 volumes + 40 cassette tapes; Han'guk chont'ong muyong yon'gu (A study of Korean traditional dance); Han'guk yonghwa chakpum chonjip, 1971-1985 (Collection of Korean movies, 1971-1985); Han'gugin ui saenghwal munyang (A collection of Korean patterns).

The collection is not very strong in the field of science and technology. Important materials on these subjects are Han'guk konch'ung punp'o togam(Distribution atlas of insects of Korea) in 2 volumes; Han'guk o tobo(Korean fishes); Taehan singmul togam (Illustrated flora of Korea); Han'guk ui pyongpop (A treatise on military systems and tactics used in Korea from ancient times to the end of the Koryo dynasty); Choson wangjo kunson (A study on warships of the Choson dynasty, 1592-1598).

The Library endeavours to obtain as much Korean bibliographical material as possible. A considerable amount has recently been added on this subject; Han'gukhak nonsol saegin (An index to articles on Korean studies) in 2 volumes; Han'guk nonjo haeje (An annotated bibliography of books on Korea) in 7 volumes; Han'guk taep'yo munhak ch'ong haeje (Annotated bibliography of selected literary works by Korean authors); Kukhoe Tosogwan changso mongnok (Catalogue of Korean books in the Legislative Assembly Library); Happul Taehak Hanjok Kanmok (Catalogue of Korean books in Harvard-Yenching Library); Kungnip Chungang Tosogwan Han'guk somok (Catalogue of Korean books in the Central National Library); Han'guk kidokkyo kyoyukkak munhon mongnok, 1945-1985 (Bibliography of Christian pedagogies published Korea 1945-1980); Pulgyo kwangye toso munhon mongnok1912-1985 (Bibliography of materials related to Buddhism of Korea).

The Library has a reasonable collection of Korean periodicals. There are 1384 titles, many of them ceased or incomplete however. 559 titles are current. Most are acquired through exchange partners in Seoul but commercial and academic periodicals are acquired by subscription through two agencies in Seoul; Eulyoo Publishing Commpany and Korea Publications Trading Company which started around 1970.

Some backsets also have been acquired, as the budget allows, to fill the gaps indicated by academics researching a particular field.

Important periodicals received regularly form the Legislative Assembly Library include; Kwanbo (Government gazette); Muyok t'onggye wolbo(Monthly foreign trade statistics); Popche charyo (Collection of law statistics); Maewol nodong t'onggye chosa pogoso (Report on monthly labour survey); Nonghyop chosa wlobo (Agricultural cooperative monthly survey); Ippophoeuibo (Legislative Assembly Review); Han'guksa yon'gu hwibo (Korean historical studies); ch'ong in'gu mit chut'aek chosa pogo (Population and housing census report). The Library holds many complete sets of government statistics.

Important commercial and academic periodicals received regularly from the two agencies in Seoul include; Paeksan hakpo (Journal of the Paeksan Society); Chindan hakpo (Journal of the Chindan Historical Society); Han'guk hakpo (Journal of Korean studies); Ko munhwa (Ancient culture); Tongbang hakchi (Journal of the Institute for Korean Studies); Yakhak hoeji (Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea); Mulka chongbo(Prices information).

The Library has a small collection of Korean newspapers which are received regularly form the Grand People's Study House of D.P.R.K., P'yong-yang and book agencies in Seoul and other sources. Newspapers are generally outhoused and applications to consult them should be made at least two days in advance. Some newspapers are available only in microform. Delay in availability of current issues is unavoidable, but the Library cooperates with the Korean Embassy to provide the most comprehensive service possible to Canberra users.

Some of the current newspapers received regularly include:

Hangyore sinmin      Seoul                                 
Tong-a Ilbo          Seoul                                 
Soul Sinmun          Seoul                                 
Han-Ho Times         Sydney                                
                                                           
Taehan Sinbo         Sydney                                
Taeyangju nyusin     Sydney                                
Nodong Sinmun        P'yongyang                            
Minju Choson         P'yongyang                            

See also: The Korean Collection and the DNC - Korean Collections Meeting 1996 and follow-up

and Agreement between National Library and Australian National University on Korean Materials

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