World`s oldest book printed by movable metal type

The second-stage restoration work has been completed for the second volume of "Jikji Simche Yojeol," a Korean Buddhist document and the world`s oldest existing book printed with movable metal type. The Cheongju Early Printing Museum has finished restoring chapters 15-29 of the 38-chapter document, which was added to UNESCO`s Memory of the World in 2001. The work for the remaining chapters is scheduled for completion by December.

Lim In-ho, a metal-type master designated Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 101, puts the final touches on types at his workshop in Goesan County, North Chungcheong Province. He restored the metal types by using the methods used 635 years ago. Jikji was published in 1377 at Heungdeok Temple in Cheongju. The first volume remains missing and the second is kept at the National Library of France.

scoopjyh@donga.com