The Cultural Heritage Administration and the National Trust for Cultural Heritage are to hold a signing ceremony Thursday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., completing the government’s purchase of the former Korean Empire legation building in the U.S. capital.

The building, which was used as the legation building by the Korean Empire until 1905, was originally purchased by King Gojong in 1891 for $25,000.

After Japan’s annexation of Korea in 1910, the building was forced to be sold to the Japanese for a mere $5. It was later reported that Japan sold the building to an American for $10 the same year.

For nearly 15 years, the Korean-American community has been trying to purchase the property from the private owners, Timothy Jenkins and his wife.

The Cultural Heritage Administration and The National Trust for Cultural Heritage have been jointly in contact with the owners since January of this year. An agreement has finally been reached and the government will purchase the property for $3.5 million, according to the heritage administration.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)