Gyeongbuk Office of Education Issues Statement Condemning Distortion in Japanese Textbooks

Japanese High School Textbooks Urged to Fundamentally Correct Historical Distortion of Dokdo

Gyeongbuk Office of Education Issues Statement Condemning Distortion in Japanese Textbooks.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwi-yeol] On the 31st, the Gyeongbuk Office of Education issued a statement fundamentally and immediately demanding correction regarding the Japanese government's approval of textbooks that distort historical facts, such as claiming Dokdo, which is clearly Korean territory, as Japanese territory.

The Office of Education strongly criticized, saying, "Claiming Dokdo, which is clearly Korean territory historically, geographically, and under international law, as Japan's inherent territory is an absurd claim based on a self-centered historical perspective," and "We express serious concern over historical distortions that justify imperial colonial rule by describing 'forced mobilization' related to Japanese military comfort women victims and forced labor as 'mobilization' or 'support.'"

"The Japanese government is glorifying past imperialist invasions to its youth who should learn a correct sense of history," it urged, "Stop adopting textbooks that downplay and conceal war crimes, and educate youth to develop a consciousness of peace and grow as responsible members of the international community."

It added, "For Korea and Japan to move toward reconciliation and cooperation, the Japanese government must stop distorting history and provide proper history education to become an international partner contributing to human prosperity."

The Office of Education plans to continuously cooperate with related organizations such as the Northeast Asian History Foundation, Yeungnam University Dokdo Research Institute, and Dokdo Foundation to counter Japan's territorial invasion and historical distortion. It will further strengthen the will to protect Dokdo through the Gyeongsangbuk-do Office of Education Cyber Dokdo School, Dokdo Exhibition Experience Center, Dokdo Education Practice Research Association, Dokdo Education Support Group, Dokdo Protection Resolution Rally, Teacher Dokdo Exploration, Visiting Dokdo Education Exhibition, and Dokdo Keeper Clubs.

Director of Education Kwon Young-geun said, "This year, through the Gyeongsangbuk-do Cyber Dokdo School Nationalization Project, we will continuously conduct systematic Dokdo education that becomes a standard nationwide so that our children can wisely judge Korea-Japan historical issues and develop a correct historical consciousness to grow as leaders of future society."