Guatemalan Elementary and Middle School Students Learn 'Dangun Myth' and 'Heungbu and Nolbu' from Textbooks

Significant Inclusion of Korean Content in 23 Guatemala Primary and Secondary School Textbooks

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Starting this year, content related to Korea will be extensively included in 23 Guatemalan textbooks, totaling 64 pages, both in government-issued and private textbooks.

On the 25th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that more than 2 million elementary and secondary students nationwide in Guatemala will learn through textbooks about four representative Korean folktales such as ‘Heungbu Nolbu’ and ‘The Sun and the Moon’, as well as the ‘Dangun Myth’.

Additionally, Guatemalan youth will see and learn in the government textbooks about Korea’s diverse and positive image encompassing tradition and modernity, including △ the Palme d'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival for ‘Parasite’ △ the world’s first introduction of 5G service △ possession of world-class electronics and automobile companies △ Hangul, Korean cuisine, and Hanbok.

The Guatemalan government textbooks introduced Korea independently for the first time among individual countries. Private textbooks also significantly improved their portrayal of Korea, which had previously been introduced only as a poor country after the Korean War, describing it very positively as a nation with advanced cutting-edge technology and excellent cultural assets.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Guatemala has made continuous and active efforts over several years to promote Korea to the Guatemalan Ministry of Education and the largest private textbook publisher," adding, "The Academy of Korean Studies also actively provided accurate and diverse information to instill a friendly and attractive image of Korea to Guatemalan elementary and secondary students."

Based on the achievements in Guatemala, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to focus on public diplomacy activities to more actively promote Korea worldwide, including in Latin America.