There is a claim that a metal-printed book that is 40 years older than (직지심체요절) Jikji Simche Yojeol exists in the world.
Experts presume that the newly found book was printed in 1328.
Mike Balfour reports.

(직지) Jikji is the world's oldest surviving book. It was printed with movable metal type.
It was published in 1377, 78 years before Johannes Gutenberg's acclaimed "42-Line Bible" printed during the years 1452?1455.

[slug] Claim that metal-printed book 40 years ahead of Jikji is raised
A claim has surfaced that a metal-printed book which is 40 years older than (직지) Jikji has been found.
It is the first volume of “(석가여래행적송) Seokgayeraehangjeoksong. The existence of the volume had not been known by historians.

[slug] Book on the life of Buddha
The book, written by a priest named (운묵) Unmuk and believed to be printed in 1328 during late (고려) Goryeo Dynasty, is about the life of Buddha and a history of Buddhism.

[slug] Book presumed to be first volume of Seokgayoraehangjeoksong contains letters meaning the year of 1328 and 1330
Unique letters that mean the years of 1328 and 1330 are included in the book.

[slug] Second volume of Seokgayoraehangjeoksong does not include publication details

Meanwhile, the second volume of (석가여래행적송) Seokgayeraehangjeoksong is kept at the (규장각) Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies. The second volume doesn’t include information on its publication year.
Mr. (장윤석) Jang Yun-seok argues that he has the first volume of the book which has been in his family for generations, and he has recently come to know the value of the book for experts’ comments.


[slug] Expert: Jang’s book is the first volume of Seokgayoraehangjeoksong
(임홍순) Im Hong-sun, a professor at (서경) Seokyeong University, authenticated the book and has concluded that the book is indeed the first volume of the Seokgayeraehangjeoksong.

[slug] Expert: The book needs to be investigated
The professor proposes that the work be studied to see if the book is metal-printed or wood-printed.



[slug] Kyujanggak: Research needed to confirm if Jang’s book is Seokgayeraehangjeoksong
Meanwhile, the (규장각) Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies says it first needs to confirm if Jang’s book is real before making detailed comments.



[Reporter] Mike Balfour
[Camera] Park Byeong-june
[CG] Lee Min-gyu

If the book is confirmed as authentic: printed with movable metal type in the 1300’s, it would be an historic discovery on a worldwide scale.

Mike Balfour, KCTV