Lee Yong - doo , president of the Advanced Center for Korean Studies , poses in front of the institute ’ s main building in Andong , North Gyeongsang Province . ( Ahn Hoon / The Korea Herald ) ANDONG , North Gyeongsang Province ― Despite their historical and cultural value , Confucian printing woodblocks are barely studied . Most people don ’ t even know they exist . That ’ s why Lee Yong - doo and his researchers at the Advanced Center for Korean Studies can ’ t slow down after the 10 - plus - year campaign to salvage the relics from the threat of theft and damage . Deciphering the wisdom of Joseon scholars carved onto the slabs and making them readily available for today ’ s guidance - seeking Koreans is a task greater than preservation , said Lee , who is president of the Andong - based think tank . “ The ACKS , for the past two decades , focused mainly on collecting privately - held historical documents and other materials from the Joseon Dynasty , ” he said during an interview with The Korea Herald last week . What lies ahead is the real task of facilitating and leading studies on them , he said . Established in 1995 under the auspices of the provincial government , the ACKS boasts a collection of over 400 , 000 items on Confucianism , the guiding philosophy of Korea ’ s last dynasty , Joseon ( 1392 - 1910 ) . Among them are over 64 , 000 hand - carved wooden plates used for the printing of some 700 titles . They are housed at a state - of - the - art storage facility in Andong . Collectively named Confucian printing woodblocks , the precious timbers are up for deliberation for inclusion in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register . A decision is expected in June 2015 . Lee believes that the nomination itself is proof of the relics ’ exceptional and universal value , although he pins high hopes on the fancy title . An UNESCO nod , if realized , would help induce public and academic interest in the woodblocks and hopefully prompt Koreans to look anew at the thoughts , values and ways of life of Joseon scholars , he hoped . “ Most Koreans know about , and many feel proud of , ‘ Palman Daejanggyeong , ’” Lee said , referring to a Buddhist scripture carved on some 80 , 000 woodblocks , known in English as the Tripitaka Koreana . The Buddhist canon , created almost 800 years ago , was added to the Memory of the World Register in 2007 .   The ACKS collection deserves no less admiration and attention compared to the Buddhist woodblocks , Lee believes . “ If ‘ Palman Daejanggyeong ’ is Buddha ’ s teaching engraved on timber , Confucian printing woodblocks contain the enlightenment of Joseon scholars who studied and practiced Confucianism in their everyday life , ” he said . Crossing hundreds of years of time , the dead scholars may still offer valuable lessons to modern - day Koreans , he stressed . “ Confucianism was essentially about how human beings can live humanely . I think that question still is a good starting point in this increasingly - complicated society . ” Lee , who took office at the ACKS in September this year , hails from a technological background , which is unusual for someone heading an institution dedicated to traditional studies . “ Tradition can get a new life when it meets the latest technology , ” he said , vowing to bring in a fresh perspective to the institution ’ s mission and functions . He said he wants to modernize and popularize Confucianism to expand its reach in modern Korea . In that vein , the leader eyes establishing digital archives of its collection and facilitating Confucian studies by scholars in other fields such as history , literature and philosophy . Regarding woodblocks , he aims to cement and expand the ACKS ’ lead both at home and abroad . In May , 2015 , it will host the fifth annual conference on woodblock preservation and studies , which scholars from four Asian nations ― China , Japan , Vietnam and Korea ― are expected to attend . The forum is expected to pave the way for the launch of an international organization on woodblock preservation and studies envisioned by the ACKS . By Lee Sun - young ( milaya @ heraldcorp . com ) 미래 엘리트 를 위한 영어 신문 주니어 헤럴드 	 더 많 은 기사 보 러 가 기 → [ 코리아 헤럴드 홈페이지 ] [ 트위터 ] [ 페이스북 ] 	 구독 신청 1588 - 0533 	 <ⓒ KoreaHerald ( www . koreaherald . com ) 무단 전재 및 재 배포 금지 >