"Signals from Korea's solution: 'We will not raise past issues'"
"Confirmed Japan's stance on distorted textbooks, continuing on its path"
It was confirmed on the 28th that the Japanese government passed the review of an elementary school history textbook that diluted the coerciveness of the conscription of Koreans during the Japanese colonial period and reinforced its claim to sovereignty over Dokdo. This move is being evaluated as pouring cold water on the normalization of relations between the two countries, which had been initiated around the time of the Korea-Japan summit.
The government's position, which had presented a solution to compensation for forced labor under the banner of a "magnanimous decision" and expected a sincere response from Japan, has also become difficult.
President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are sharing a friendly moment on the afternoon of the 16th at a long-established omurice restaurant in Ginza, Tokyo, Japan, toasting with draft beer. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the same day, Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology announced that 149 types of textbooks to be used in elementary schools from 2024 had passed the review. An analysis of the content of 12 social studies textbooks for grades 3 to 6 and 2 guidebooks used together by grades 3 to 6 showed that the description related to the conscription of Koreans was changed from previous versions.
The expression "were conscripted" was replaced with "participated," and "were dragged" was changed to "were mobilized," diluting the coercive nature. Additionally, the claim that Dokdo is "Japan's inherent territory" and that "South Korea is illegally occupying it" was also reinforced.
The issue of Japan's distorted history textbooks is a forewarned adverse factor. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has held textbook review committees every March to periodically announce the results of reviews for elementary, middle, and high school textbooks. This particular announcement of review results drew more attention as it came amid the announcement of a solution to forced labor compensation and President Yoon Suk-yeol's visit to Japan, marking an improvement phase in bilateral relations.
The government had been waiting for a sincere response from Japan following the announcement of the forced labor solution. President Yoon stated at the Cabinet meeting on the 21st, "If South Korea proactively removes obstacles, Japan will surely respond." However, the announcement of this textbook review result has effectively nullified the government's position.
On the 28th, Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology held a textbook screening committee meeting and announced that 149 types of textbooks to be used in elementary schools from 2024 passed the review. Among them, some elementary school social studies and guidance textbooks strengthened Japan's territorial claims over Dokdo, which is Korean territory. In the photo, the book on the right is the Tokyo Shoseki guidance textbook that changed the current expression "occupied by Korea" regarding Dokdo to "illegally occupied by Korea." Photo by Yonhap News.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Japanese charg? d'affaires in Korea and took strong protest measures. However, there is criticism that the government did not anticipate Japan's attitude and failed to take prior measures. Some voices criticize this as "being stabbed in the back despite making a generous concession."
Former Ambassador to Japan Kang Chang-il said in an interview with CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" on the 29th, "The South Korean government did not understand Japan properly and made a mistake," and explained, "When we said we made a magnanimous decision, Japan does not perceive it that way. They think, 'They obey well after being hit.'"
He continued, "Japanese society is becoming increasingly right-wing. And the Liberal Democratic Party, Japan's ruling party, is also influenced by those forces," adding, "We should have carefully analyzed such tendencies and prepared countermeasures, but I think we underestimated Japan."
Former Consul General in Osaka Oh Tae-gyu pointed out in an interview with MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" that "The forced labor solution proposed by our government ultimately fully accepted Japan's claims," and said, "From Japan's perspective, it was a clear signal that 'South Korea has accepted our claims' and 'they will no longer make a big issue of past history.'"
He added, "I expect Japan's right-wing movement, including textbooks, to become stronger and faster in the future," and evaluated, "No matter how much efforts are made from the side (to improve relations), this textbook review result shows Japan's firm stance of 'We will go our own way.'"
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
