Police said Sunday they will hire detectives specifically tasked with protecting the country's cultural assets.
  

Police said they wanted to ensure more expertise in investigating thefts of cultural properties and that the candidates for the new position will receive relevant education at a national training center for traditional culture.
  

According to the Cultural Heritage Administration, 27,675 pieces of cultural properties have been stolen from the start of 1985 to the end of March this year. It said only 4,757 pieces, or 17 percent, have been recovered.
  

Police have only been able to arrest 356 individuals implicated in cultural asset thefts between November 2013 and June 2015 and blamed their lack of success in stopping these crimes on their limited expertise in cultural properties.
  

Police said about 40 new detectives on cultural assets will be dispatched across regional police agencies, preferably those who are well-versed in archeology and anthropology. They will also consider bringing in experts from outside the force.
  

Police added that hiring new investigators is expected to tighten their cooperation with the Cultural Heritage Administration. (Yonhap)