Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Japanese History-Distorting Textbook Passed Review... Urging Correction"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The South Korean government has urged Japan to rectify its decision to remove expressions such as the forced mobilization of Koreans and military comfort women from history textbooks for students in the second year of high school and above starting next year, while strengthening its territorial claims over Dokdo.

On the 29th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed "deep regret over the Japanese government's approval of high school textbooks that distort historical facts based on a Japan-centric view of history and urged correction."

In particular, it strongly protested that "the Japanese government has once again approved textbooks containing absurd claims about Dokdo, which is clearly our inherent territory historically, geographically, and under international law," and stated, "We cannot accept any Japanese claims regarding Dokdo."

It also expressed "strong regret over the changes in expressions and descriptions related to the issue of Japanese military comfort women victims and forced labor that dilute the coercive nature," and protested, urging "the Japanese government to conduct history education based on the spirit of apology and reflection on past history that it has previously acknowledged."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged, "We hope the Japanese government will show a more responsible attitude in youth education while facing history squarely."