Syngman Rhee Glorification Book Disposed, but Gwangju Education Office Faces Criticism for Lax Response

No Action Taken Despite Description of Yeosu-Suncheon Incident as "Removal of Cancer Cells"
Civic Group: "Investigation Needed into Acquisition Process and Teachers Who Recommended the Book"

A book glorifying former President Syngman Rhee, who was responsible for civilian massacres during the Korean War and the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident, was found to have been available in schools in the Gwangju region. However, the response from the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education has been criticized as inadequate.

Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education.

The civic group "Citizens' Coalition for a Society Without Academic Cliques" stated on August 8, "The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education conducted guidance and inspection at Elementary School A, where three copies of the historically distorted book 'The Story of President Syngman Rhee, the Founding President, as Told by Mom' were kept. However, after the school disposed of the books, the office took no further action."

The problematic book contains descriptions that distort history, such as comparing the massacre of civilians by the military and police during the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident to the "removal of cancer cells," and shifting the responsibility for the fraudulent March 15, 1960 election to Vice President Lee Kibung.

It is reported that Elementary School A acquired the book without following the proper purchasing procedures, with a particular teacher leading the acquisition. Two middle school teachers from the Gwangju area also wrote recommendations for the book under their real names.

The civic group argued that the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education should investigate how the book was acquired and whether biased history education took place at the school. They also emphasized the need for an investigation into the teachers who wrote the recommendations and for responsible action to be taken.

The civic group stated, "When the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education confirmed that the same book was available in schools, it immediately issued an apology and announced plans to strengthen the book selection review process and to investigate the teachers who wrote the recommendations. In contrast, the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education does not seem to recognize the seriousness of the issue. A thorough investigation must be conducted, and measures to prevent recurrence should be established," they urged.