"No Claims on Dokdo Can Be Accepted"
"Forced Mobilization Denial... Apology Must Be Practiced"
On the 28th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed "deep regret" over the approval of elementary school textbooks in Japan that contain historical distortions related to Dokdo and forced labor.
On that day, all 11 textbooks, including nine social studies textbooks for grades 4 to 6 and two maps that passed the screening by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, labeled Dokdo as Japanese territory "Takeshima (竹島)." They also included content stating that Dokdo is Japan's inherent territory and that "South Korea is illegally occupying it."
Additionally, some publishers removed the word "conscription" related to forced labor under Japanese colonial rule or omitted the term "forced" in the 6th-grade social studies textbooks.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement under the spokesperson's name, saying, "We strongly protest the Japanese government's repeated approval of textbooks containing unjust claims about Dokdo, which is clearly our inherent territory historically, geographically, and under international law. We make it clear that we cannot accept any Japanese claims regarding Dokdo."
Regarding the descriptions related to forced labor, the ministry stated, "Our government expresses strong regret over the changes that dilute the coercive nature in the expressions and descriptions related to forced labor, and urges the Japanese government to sincerely practice the spirit of apology and reflection on past history that it has previously declared."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged, "For the construction of a constructive and future-oriented relationship between Korea and Japan, a correct historical awareness among the generations who will carry the future must be the foundation. Therefore, the Japanese government should show more responsible behavior in educating future generations while facing history honestly."
Furthermore, it emphasized, "If the Japanese government includes unjust historical claims in this elementary school textbook, we will protest through diplomatic channels and urge them to show more responsible behavior in educating future generations while facing history honestly."
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