Newly Identified 'Gyeyukja' Metal Type Found in Seoul's Insadong Excavation

A metal movable type, identified as 'Gyeyukja,' has been confirmed from artifacts unearthed in Insadong, Seoul, shedding new light on early Korean printing history. The discovery stems from detailed research conducted on a 2024 excavation report, which analyzed over 1,700 metal types found in 2021.

The initial excavation in June 2021 at the Gongpyeong urban development site in Insadong yielded a significant hoard of metal types, including those from the early Joseon Dynasty like 'Gabinja' and 'Eulhaeja.' While these were identified, in-depth individual research was lacking until recently.

Lee Jae-jeong, a former curator at the National Museum of Korea, re-examined the specifications, diagrams, and photographs in the excavation report. His research, published in the 'Journal of Korean Bibliography,' led to the identification of 'Gyeyukja,' believed to have been produced during King Seongjong's reign in 1493. Lee's analysis suggests that printing technology continued to be refined even after the development of 'Gabinja,' challenging previous assumptions about the sequential improvements in early Korean printing.