[2020 National Audit] Schools with Colonial Remnants from Japanese Occupation Period... "Insufficient Investigation and Research by Education Offices"

Survey Completed Only in Gwangju and Jeonnam
Surveys Ongoing in Incheon, Daejeon, Ulsan, Gyeonggi, etc.
Others Have No Projects

School emblem designs featuring the Rising Sun Flag and the Japanese chrysanthemum, investigated by the Gyeonggi Provincial Government (Provided by Jeong Cheong-rae's office)

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Although colonial remnants from the Japanese occupation period remain in various schools nationwide, such as school emblems, statues, and school songs, investigations and research on these have been insufficient.

According to data analyzed by Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the National Assembly's Education Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, submitted by education offices nationwide, only two regions, Gwangju and Jeonnam, have completed investigations led by education offices to eliminate colonial remnants from schools.

Despite the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education releasing results last year from a full survey of pro-Japanese remnants in Seoul schools conducted by the Institute for Research in Collaborationist Activities, no investigations or removal efforts have been carried out. The education offices of Busan, Daegu, Sejong, Gangwon, Chungbuk, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam also had no projects aimed at eliminating colonial remnants.

Seven education offices in Incheon, Daejeon, Ulsan, Gyeonggi, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, and Jeju are currently conducting investigations or holding forums to understand and remove Japanese colonial remnants in educational settings. The Ulsan Office of Education, as part of the 100th anniversary commemoration of the March 1st Movement started last year, reviewed school symbols reminiscent of the Rising Sun Flag and decided to change 65 cases, maintain 13 cases as is, and conduct long-term reviews on 4 cases, with plans to proceed with follow-up projects.

The Gwangju and Jeonnam Offices of Education, which have completed investigations, published reports and are providing budgets to replace symbols and other items.

Assemblyman Jeong urged, "Please support schools with the necessary budgets to conduct comprehensive and systematic investigations into pro-Japanese symbolic acts and facilities remaining in schools, and through consultations within the educational community, swiftly and thoroughly eliminate colonial remnants that have persisted for 75 years."