"Improvement in Quality of Life During Japanese Colonial Period"... Teacher Plays Video at Middle School on Eve of Gwangbokjeol

Middle School A Broadcasts Japanese Imperial Glorification Video a Day Before Gwangbokjeol
School: "An Error by a Teacher... Wrong Judgment"
Southern Education Support Office: "Follow-up Measures After Internal Discussion"

Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education.

A middle school in Busan Metropolitan City, which became controversial for a 'pro-Japanese colonial rule video,' has disciplined the teacher involved.

A Middle School, located in Nam-gu, Busan, announced that starting from the 19th, Mr. A, who broadcast the controversial video, has been excluded from work and classes. Additionally, the school obtained a written explanation from Mr. A and issued a written warning, the highest disciplinary measure the school can impose internally.

Mr. A is reportedly not a history teacher but was responsible for special occasion education at the middle school. 'Special occasion education' refers to lessons conducted outside the official curriculum to teach about social issues or events.

The school stated, "The Liberation Day special occasion education was conducted without the vice principal’s review and approval of the lesson direction and content due to Mr. A’s mistake," adding, "Although the intention was to help students view Liberation Day from various perspectives, it seems it was a wrong judgment."

The Busan Southern Office of Education has launched a fact-finding investigation into the incident and plans to take follow-up measures through internal discussions.

Meanwhile, on the morning of August 14, a day before Liberation Day, A Middle School conducted special occasion education for all students. At that time, a YouTube video claiming that "the quality of life improved during the Japanese colonial period" and "Japan solved various problems of late Joseon" was broadcast, sparking controversy.

In response, the Democratic Party of Korea issued a written briefing stating, "Who on earth made this country into one that conducts such education?" and "The Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education must hold the school and teacher strictly accountable."