Kim Ku, the nation's most revered independence fighter, was only a terrorist. Korean women who were coerced or cajoled into serving as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers actually chose to move around with the troops out of their own free will. Japan's colonial rule contributed considerably to the modernization of Korea.
One might think these are statements from a history textbook published by some Japanese ultra-rightists. Actually, the egregious descriptions are part of a Korean history book written by "New Right" scholars and approved by the government last year.
It is hardly surprising then that only 14 high schools, or barely 1 percent of the 1,393 ordinary high schools, have so far adopted it as their history textbook for the 2014 academic year. We think even the 1 percent of schools that chose to use it are too many, given the glaring pro-Japanese, pro-dictatorial contents of the so-called Kyohak-sa history book, a reference to its publisher.
One must not forget a similar ultra-right textbook in Japan started with an even lower user rate of 0.4 percent in 2005, but boasts a 4-percent rate now. All this notwithstanding the continuous efforts of conscientious Japanese teachers, academics, civic groups and local education offices to prevent the selection of the self-justifying history book through the filing of petitions and the staging of rallies.
That shows why their Korean counterparts should make an even greater effort for the same purpose. It comes as a relief in this regard that students and their parents in most of the 14 schools have vehemently protested against the adoption of the controversial textbook, forcing school authorities to withdraw their decisions in some cases.
Equally disappointing was the education ministry which tried all it could to approve the New Right history book which, in addition to its anti-nation and anti-class nature, also contained too many factual errors and a lot of hideous plagiarism to stand as a textbook to teach young students.
Considering Cheong Wa Dae might be behind the ministry, as it is in almost all major administrative decisions, it is only natural many Koreans suspect that President Park Geun-hye okayed, or even encouraged, the rightist history book, which largely justifies the 19-year reign of former President Park Chung-hee by emphasizing his accomplishments and playing down his wrongdoings.
In other words, President Park might be overlooking the pro-Japanese textbook for the historical reinstatement of her father. Given the situation, it is doubtful whether Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would take seriously her Korean counterpart's protests and rebukes concerning his attempts to turn the historical clock backwards.
A high school girl in one of the 14 schools protested against the book's adoption by quoting a placard some Korean fans displayed during a Korea-Japan football match last year, which read, "A nation that has forgotten its history has no future."
The entire establishment should be ashamed.
One might think these are statements from a history textbook published by some Japanese ultra-rightists. Actually, the egregious descriptions are part of a Korean history book written by "New Right" scholars and approved by the government last year.
It is hardly surprising then that only 14 high schools, or barely 1 percent of the 1,393 ordinary high schools, have so far adopted it as their history textbook for the 2014 academic year. We think even the 1 percent of schools that chose to use it are too many, given the glaring pro-Japanese, pro-dictatorial contents of the so-called Kyohak-sa history book, a reference to its publisher.
One must not forget a similar ultra-right textbook in Japan started with an even lower user rate of 0.4 percent in 2005, but boasts a 4-percent rate now. All this notwithstanding the continuous efforts of conscientious Japanese teachers, academics, civic groups and local education offices to prevent the selection of the self-justifying history book through the filing of petitions and the staging of rallies.
That shows why their Korean counterparts should make an even greater effort for the same purpose. It comes as a relief in this regard that students and their parents in most of the 14 schools have vehemently protested against the adoption of the controversial textbook, forcing school authorities to withdraw their decisions in some cases.
Equally disappointing was the education ministry which tried all it could to approve the New Right history book which, in addition to its anti-nation and anti-class nature, also contained too many factual errors and a lot of hideous plagiarism to stand as a textbook to teach young students.
Considering Cheong Wa Dae might be behind the ministry, as it is in almost all major administrative decisions, it is only natural many Koreans suspect that President Park Geun-hye okayed, or even encouraged, the rightist history book, which largely justifies the 19-year reign of former President Park Chung-hee by emphasizing his accomplishments and playing down his wrongdoings.
In other words, President Park might be overlooking the pro-Japanese textbook for the historical reinstatement of her father. Given the situation, it is doubtful whether Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would take seriously her Korean counterpart's protests and rebukes concerning his attempts to turn the historical clock backwards.
A high school girl in one of the 14 schools protested against the book's adoption by quoting a placard some Korean fans displayed during a Korea-Japan football match last year, which read, "A nation that has forgotten its history has no future."
The entire establishment should be ashamed.
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