Misinformation on Korea

Seoul should correct errors in foreign texts

It seems a rule, not an exception, for foreign textbooks to contain inaccurate information on Korea. The misinformation and disinformation needs immediate correction. Many Korean publications also have factual errors.

A study of 905 foreign textbooks from 2007 to 2009 showed that 477 contained information on the country. All these books included erroneous or misleading descriptions of Korea. About 47 percent of them do not contain any description of the country. An Italian book describes South Korea as a nation ruled by the military and capable of manufacturing nuclear weapons like Libya and Iraq. A Turkish book pinpoints the country as the origin of bird flu. A German book says North Korea’s aggression in 1950 was a claim made by South Korea. It also says child abuse is widespread in Korea. It also categorizes Korea as a Southeast Asian country.

Chinese books also portrayed the Korean War as aggression by “American imperialists.” They also say Balhae, the Korean Kingdom (698-926), was part of China. In Hong Kong, the Korea-Japan World Cup was an event in the late 20th century. American books note that China had long ruled Korea. In an Uzbekistani book, President Syngman Rhee was assassinated in April, 1960. Mexican books say Korea is a country which has no UNESCO Heritage cultural assets.

A Chilean book said Koreans are malnourished. In Paraguay, Korea is a former colony of Portugal. Daewoo is still portrayed as one of the four largest conglomerates. Argentine books read South Korea’s mother tongue is Chinese. In Australia, taekwondo is an adaptation from a Chinese martial arts and hanbok are costumes for entertainers.

Philippine books quoted a claim by a scholar as saying that the Dangun ancestry legend is the product of Chinese influence.

Most common is the wrong depiction of the East Sea as the Sea of Japan. Japanese textbooks feature that Japan’s 35-year colonial rule contributed to Korea’s economic development. The world’s oldest wooden printing blocks during the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.- 935 A.D.) came from China. India reduced information on Korea in its 2006 revision of school books. Thai books are positive toward Korea. A French book rated Korea as an advanced country. The U.K. revised its book to explain Korea as a donor country, not a recipient.

The government needs to spend extra to help correct the imprecise descriptions of the country. Accurate descriptions in foreign textbooks are important as students cultivate their perceptions of other countries from them. Korea’s image-boosting campaign will get added impetus through rectifying such mistakes.

Government agencies must team up with each other to change the incorrect descriptions of the country. Korean diplomats overseas need to contact educators in host countries for corrections. In Seoul, the government must inform foreign diplomats of the mistaken information.

Foreign textbooks are not the only publications that need correction. Government agencies and private companies must know their publications and websites have much misguided Konglish information about Korea.

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