Cheongju Modern Printing Exhibition Hall in Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea.

Cheongju Modern Printing Exhibition Hall in Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea. [History of Modern Printing] Our nation already flourished with the world's best woodblock printing technology during the Unified Silla period, and in the 13th century, we were the first in the world to invent and use metal type. In 1377, we printed the world's oldest metal type book, 'Jikji', and in the 15th century during King Sejong's reign, we reached the pinnacle of metal type culture along with the creation of Hangeul. Generally, the starting point of modern printing is considered to be the '42-line Bible' printed by Gutenberg in Germany around 1455 using lead type. This printing technology spread to all regions of Europe by 1500, leading the Reformation and the Renaissance, and had a significant impact on the Industrial Revolution. In 1883, our country established the Bakmunguk and introduced Western lead type printing technology and modern printing facilities. After that, our printing culture had to endure a long period of darkness during the Japanese colonial period, the liberation space, and the Korean War. Overcoming trials through the era of modernization and democratization on the ruins, our printing culture is preparing for a new era of cultural prosperity by combining 5,000 years of traditional culture with the world's best information and communication technology.