Seoul, South Korea - A recent audit report has exposed alarming inaccuracies and outright distortions concerning Korean history and even fundamental geographical understanding in textbooks used around the globe, sparking outrage and concern in South Korea. The audit, released on April 15th by the Board of Audit and Inspection, highlighted a critical lapse in diplomatic action despite the Ministry of Foreign Affairs being aware of these errors for several years.
Between 2021 and 2023, the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) provided the Foreign Ministry with analyses of Korean-related content in textbooks from 81 countries, identifying numerous instances of misinformation and historical revisionism. However, the audit revealed that the Foreign Ministry's dissemination of this information to 74 overseas missions did not translate into effective corrective measures. A significant number of embassies reportedly took no substantial action beyond receiving the reports, failing to raise these critical issues with their host governments.
The most egregious errors were found in some South American textbooks. In Peru and Bolivia, secondary school social studies textbooks have astonishingly categorized South Korea as a "newly industrialized country in Southeast Asia," alongside nations like Thailand and Indonesia. Furthermore, some textbooks included visual aids, such as maps, placing South Korea within the Southeast Asian geographical region. Experts have expressed deep concern, stating that these mistakes go beyond simple oversights and demonstrate a fundamental lack of understanding about Korea.
Southeast Asian Textbooks Also Riddled with Errors
The audit also uncovered a range of inaccuracies and biases in textbooks from Southeast Asian nations themselves. Cambodian textbooks attribute the division of the Korean Peninsula solely to a "power struggle between North and South Korea," completely disregarding the complexities of international politics and the Cold War context.
While Thai textbooks positively portray the Korean Wave (Hallyu) and South Korea's economic growth, they notably omit crucial historical events such as the Korean War and the Japanese colonial period, leading to a skewed historical perspective.
In Vietnam, some textbooks present a simplistic and negative view of South Korea's democratization process, focusing solely on military dictatorship. Laotian textbooks were found to describe the Korean War merely as a North-South civil conflict and attribute South Korea's industrial success solely to "aid from the United States," neglecting the nation's own efforts and strategic planning. Scholars warn that these inaccuracies can foster a narrow and incomplete understanding of Korean history among students.
Persistent Historical Distortions by Neighboring Countries
Beyond these geographical blunders, long-standing attempts to distort Korean history by neighboring countries remain a serious concern. Japanese high school textbooks continue to assert claims over Dokdo, a set of islets administered by South Korea, and downplay or label the issues of comfort women and forced laborers during World War II as "contentious." 1 China persists in its efforts to incorporate the ancient Korean kingdoms of Gojoseon and Goguryeo into its own historical narrative, promoting a Sinocentric view of history.
Western Textbooks Show Misunderstandings
Even in some Western textbooks, misunderstandings and misrepresentations exist. In the United States, the Korean War is sometimes referred to as the "Korean Conflict," diminishing its significance as a major international war. The causes of the war are often oversimplified as merely a consequence of the Cold War. German textbooks tend to provide brief accounts of the comfort women issue without clearly assigning responsibility to Japan, thereby obscuring the historical context. French and Russian textbooks often portray modern Korean history solely through the lens of a "divided nation" or interpret the Korean War from a self-centered perspective.
Audit Criticizes Inaction and Lack of Incentive
The Board of Audit and Inspection strongly criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its passive approach to addressing these significant textbook errors and distortions, despite being aware of their existence. The report also pointed out that the lack of proper integration of error correction activities into the performance evaluations of overseas missions has resulted in insufficient motivation for proactive engagement.
Experts Call for Swift and Multifaceted Action
Experts emphasize the critical importance of an accurate national image in international relations and economic activities. They stress the need for a swift and proactive response to both the absurd geographical errors and the persistent historical distortions.
"Beyond simply lodging protests, South Korea needs to actively engage with the education authorities in these countries," stated one prominent historian. "This should include direct consultations, expanded academic exchanges, and the widespread dissemination of accurate Korean studies content to foster a correct understanding of Korea within the international community."
The audit's findings underscore the urgent need for a more robust and coordinated diplomatic strategy to combat misinformation and ensure that future generations worldwide learn an accurate and respectful portrayal of South Korea's history and its rightful place in the world.
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