Sejong Parent Groups Protest
"Students Must Learn Proper National and Security Values Based on the Constitution"
After it was revealed that a middle school in Sejong City had students listen to and transcribe the lyrics of a North Korean propaganda song during class, parent organizations strongly protested, while an official from the city’s Office of Education stated that it was “a lesson conducted as part of the regular curriculum,” further fueling the controversy.
According to parent organizations in the Sejong area on October 21, during a recent ethics class at a middle school in Sejong City, a teacher had students listen to the North Korean propaganda song “Let’s Run Toward the Future” and transcribe its lyrics. The song primarily contains content praising the North Korean regime, such as building the nation into a prosperous paradise.
Among parents, there is criticism questioning whether this constitutes ideological indoctrination.
In an interview with the media, an official from the city’s Office of Education explained, “The lesson was designed to motivate students to learn and was conducted as part of the regular curriculum,” adding, “It also aligns with the educational objectives.”
In response to this explanation, parent organizations have pushed back, calling it “dangerous education that runs counter to the spirit of the Constitution.”
Organizations such as the Education Reform Movement Headquarters, Sejong Healthy Parents’ Association, and Sejong Education Alliance held a press conference in front of the Sejong City Office of Education on October 21, condemning the explanation, stating, “The Sejong City Office of Education’s justification goes against common sense and the spirit of the Constitution.”
These organizations pointed out, “If such an explanation is accepted as a regular lesson, does that mean it would be acceptable for all schools nationwide to play and have students transcribe North Korean regime propaganda songs? This is not education, but indoctrination.”
They further explained, “In the Republic of Korea, where liberal democracy is the nation’s core ideology, it is highly inappropriate and directly contradicts the spirit of the Constitution to provide education that glorifies or praises the communist regime to students.”
They continued, “The North Korea section in the ethics textbook is intended to help students objectively understand North Korean residents, but making students transcribe praise-filled lyrics is not about understanding, but about indoctrination. Rather than simply defending the teacher, the authorities should seriously listen to the concerns of parents.”
Sejong parent organizations urged the Office of Education not to dismiss this incident as a mere mishap and demanded responsible action, calling for a full reinvestigation and an official apology, disclosure of the lesson process and sources of materials, and stronger management and supervision of education based on constitutional values.
These organizations also stated, “Parents want their children to learn a proper sense of national identity and security based on the Constitution at school. A true understanding of North Korea should not be about praise, but about learning the value of liberal democracy through critical awareness.” They warned, “If a responsible response is not provided soon, we will join forces with parent organizations nationwide and continue actions to restore proper education.”
Previously, on October 17, these organizations met with the auditor of the Sejong City Office of Education and submitted a formal request for an audit regarding the issue.
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