The Korean ancestors developed the printing industry greatly by inventing metal type for the first time in the world. The invention was the fruition of their strenuous efforts and study and high metal processing skills.

   The metal type was invented in Korea in the first half of the 12^th century, several hundred years earlier than in Europe, which invented and used it in the 15^th century.

   The fact that our country is the inventor of metal type is proved by historical documents and an old publication printed with metal type.

   At present, there exists Jikjisimgyong, the oldest book in the world which was printed with metal type in Koryo in 1377.

   The book was exhibited in the Expo History of Books, an event of The Year of International Books held in Paris in 1972 under the sponsorship of UNESCO. The book was appreciated as the oldest of the still remaining books printed with metal type in the world, and this fact was notified to all countries.

   It is a great pride of our nation to have the first metal type in the world as a cultural heritage.