Comprehensive Inspection Conducted at 375 Public Libraries
"Lending Restrictions and Disposal... Strengthening Purchase Procedures"
Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong attended a meeting on the afternoon of the 11th at the City Hall Business Room titled "80 Years of Liberation, Management Measures for History Distortion Books," where he discussed response measures with Lee Jungseon, Superintendent of Gwangju Education Office, Lim Taek, Chairman of the District Mayors' Association (Dong District Mayor), and Moon Sooyoung, Director of the Heungsadan Youth Activity Promotion Center. Photo by Gwangju City
The Gwangju Metropolitan Government identified 27 books in a comprehensive inspection of local libraries for publications accused of historical distortion, and has taken measures to restrict lending and dispose of these books.
This inspection was a follow-up action to the "80 Years of Liberation, Measures for Managing History Distortion Books" meeting held on August 11. Mayor Kang Gijeong, Superintendent of Education Lee Jungseon, Lim Taek, chairman of the District Mayors' Association (Dong District Mayor), and others recently expressed deep concern over the distortion of modern history found in some far-right publications, and discussed joint response measures, including the establishment of a professional management system.
The city conducted a comprehensive survey on seven types of books at the center of the recent social controversy over historical distortion, targeting 30 public libraries under the city, district offices, and the Office of Education, as well as 345 small libraries.
According to the survey, 25 copies of the seven controversial books were found in 18 public libraries, and 2 copies were found in 2 small libraries. "The Story of President Syngman Rhee, the Founding President, as Told by Mom," which is known to distort facts such as defining the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident as a rebellion, was confirmed to be available in a total of 6 copies across 6 libraries.
Currently, the books identified as controversial have been temporarily restricted from use. Moving forward, each institution plans to pursue lending restrictions and disposal of these books through their respective operating committees.
Additionally, to prevent similar cases from recurring, the city is considering forming a materials selection committee that includes history experts and plans to strengthen the professionalism and reliability of the book purchasing process.
Jeon Sunhee, head of the Cultural Heritage Resources Division, stated, "We will strengthen the verification process from the materials selection stage to prevent the recurrence of similar cases in the future."
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