SEOUL, March 15, 2010 (AFP) - French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner will visit South Korea this week for talks on issues including Seoul's request for the return of ancient Korean texts, the foreign ministry said Monday.
    Kouchner will hold talks with Foreign Minister Yu Myung-Hwan and pay a courtesy call on President Lee Myung-Bak during his two-day visit starting Friday, said ministry spokesman Kim Young-Sun.
    Kouchner and Yu will discuss ways to increase exchanges and cooperation in economic, science and cultural sectors.
    "The ministers are expected to discuss the return of the Korean texts at the foreign ministerial talks as it is one of the key pending issues," the spokesman said.
    South Korea recently asked the French government to return the royal texts in the form of a permanent lease, after years of unsuccessful negotiations for a permanent return of the 297 volumes.
    The books were taken by the French military from a library on Ganghwa island during an 1866 invasion. One was returned in 1993 on a permanent lease basis by then-President Francois Mitterrand.
    In December a French court rejected a suit by a South Korean civic organisation seeking a permanent return of the remaining 296 royal texts from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).
    The books lay down protocols for royal ceremonies and rituals.
    Ministry officials quoted by Yonhap news agency said Paris earlier hinted at the possibility of having the books returned on a permanent lease, but has yet to respond to Seoul's latest request.
    Yu and Kouchner will also discuss preparations for the G20 economic summit in Seoul in November. France will succeed South Korea next year as chair of the Group of 20 advanced and developing economies.