The Library provides digitization services for some of the materials held by the NLK, including old and rare documents such as valuable materials and single copies, and the materials for which five years have passed since the dates of their publication.
Restrictions on Using Digitized resource
Full-texts digitized by the National Library of Korea for which their copyrights have expired or their use has been approved can be used by anyone free of charge. However, fees apply for the use of all other copyrighted materials under the Copyright Act (Article 31 Reproductions in Libraries and so on). Fees are charged based on the relevant policies of partner libraries (including public, university, research and special libraries) that are under an agreement with the National Library of Korea.
Digitized resource Service Agreement Process
NLK Digitized resource Service User Guide(For Library Users)
NLK Digitized resource Service FAQ
Types of Digitized resource
Table of types of Digitized resource
Types Description
Old books and manuscripts A full-text database of various digitized old books and manuscripts such as Cultural heritage pieces (national treasures, treasures, etc.) and the old and rare collection * Including the national treasure “Sipchil Sachan Gogeum Tongyo (Essentials of Seventeen Dynastic Histories)”; the treasures “Seokbo Sangjeol (Episodes from the Life of Sakyamuni Buddha)” and “Dongui Bogam (Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine)”; and “Gyuwon Sahwa (Historical Tales of Ancient Korea)”
Old maps A full-text database of digitized old maps with links to indexes and information on specific places to facilitate place and location search
Textbooks A full-text database of digitized textbooks
Domestically published Korea-related materials written in non-Korean language A full-text database of digitized resource on Korea, written in a foreign language and published in Korea
Official gazettes (1894-1945) A full-text database of digitized official gazettes of the Korean Empire and Japanese Governor-General of Korea, published between 1894 and 1945
Monographs A full-text database of digitized monographs
Materials related to Dokdo A full-text database of digitized resource related to Dokdo
Materials issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism A full-text database of digitized resource on culture issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and affiliated institutions
New Literature novels A full-text database of digitized New Literature novels published during the past 100 years, selected by the Korea Writers Association and for which copyright issues have been cleared
Music scores A full-text database of digitized music scores
* Donations with reviews by Korea Media Rating Board
Materials for children and young adults A full-text database of digitized resource for children and young adults selected and recommended by various relevant organizations and private collections housed in National Library for Children and Young Adults
Valuable copies of serials A full-text database of digitized serials that are published prior to 1950 and designated as valuable materials
* Including the monthly magazines “Gaebyeok (Great Opening)” and “Sonyeon (The Boy)” from the 1920s
Academic books A full-text database of digitized academic books selected by the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Korea
Doctoral dissertations in humanities A full-text database of digitized doctoral dissertations in the humanities
Japanese materials
(until 1945)
A full-text database of digitized resource of significance published in Japanese prior to 1945
Government publications A full-text database of digitzed government publications such as rare policy data
Newspapers A full-text database of digitized newspapers published from 1945 to 1955 such as "Hwangsung Soonbo" and "Jaegook Shinmun"
Note: Old newspapers are classified as Korea Open Government License (KOGL) Type 1 materials and can be freely used.
Classical novels published in Hangul (the Korean alphabet) A full-text database of digitized classic Korean novels published from 1910s to 1930s such as "Ttakjibon Novels", "Yookjeon Novels" and the storybook series.
Selected Korean classics A full-text database of the digitized collection “Selected Korean classics that move our hearts” selected by Dong-A Ilbo newspaper
Korea-related materials written in non-Korean language A full-text database of digitized Korea-related records published prior to 1945 in Japan and other overseas countries
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