Government Publishes 'Unification Understanding Textbook'... Includes Lessons from Germany and Partial Criticism of North Korean Human Rights

The Ministry of Unification has newly published two basic textbooks for unification education in 2020: "Understanding Unification Issues" and "Understanding North Korea." Notably, the case of German unification, which marks its 30th anniversary this year, has been newly incorporated.

The Unification Education Institute of the Ministry of Unification added a new section titled "Lessons from German Unification" as Chapter 1, Section 3 in the "Understanding Unification Issues 2020" textbook published on the 28th, which was not included last year.

The Ministry of Unification explained, "In commemoration of the 30th anniversary of German unification, we included the social integration process before and after unification in Germany and its implications."

Last year's Chapter 5, titled "Peace and Prosperity in the Korean Peninsula Economy," has been replaced with "Vision and Tasks for the Korean Peninsula." This appears to reflect the stagnation in inter-Korean relations following the no-deal outcome at Hanoi a year ago.

The Ministry of Unification stated, "Regarding the vision and tasks for a unified Korean Peninsula, we described them from a multifaceted and macro perspective, not limited to economic aspects, but also examining concepts such as a 'peace community.'"

This year's textbook is composed of five chapters: "Chapter 1 - How to View Unification Issues?, Chapter 2 - Development of Inter-Korean Relations, Chapter 3 - International Order and Peace & Unification on the Korean Peninsula, Chapter 4 - Unification Policy and Unification Plans, Chapter 5 - Vision and Tasks for the Korean Peninsula."

This textbook, published annually by the Ministry of Unification, is distributed as a national unification education resource to middle and high schools, universities, public institutions, and libraries.

The "Understanding North Korea 2020" textbook, published together on the same day, has been reorganized to specifically reflect recent changes in North Korea.

In particular, it introduces changes in North Korea's diplomatic posture following the North Korea-U.S. and inter-Korean summits, along with internal situation changes based on the Party Plenary Meetings and the Supreme People's Assembly.

The Ministry of Unification explained, "By reflecting the opinions of external experts and target groups (such as students in related academic fields), past facts are described concisely, focusing on current issues and appearances."

The detailed description of the 2018 73rd UN General Assembly North Korean Human Rights Resolution from last year has been condensed into one line, and the previously separate chapters on education and culture have been merged into one.

The Ministry of Unification stated, "Regarding human rights, the existing volume and tone have been maintained," adding, "We explained in a balanced manner ▲the poor human rights situation in North Korea ▲the international community's efforts (UN human rights resolutions) and North Korea's responses (women's and disabled persons' rights)."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.