European and Japanese Child Rights Education Materials Spark Obscenity Controversy in South Korea... Ultimately Withdrawn

Ministry of Gender Equality and Family "Consulting with the Company"
Concerns Over Disruption of 'Nadaumchaek' Project

Some parts of the 'Nadawoom Children's Book' raised issues for promoting homosexuality and being obscene (Provided by Assemblyman Kim Byung-wook's office)

[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee and Seungjin Lee] The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has decided to recall certain editions of the sex education book series 'Nadawoom Children's Books' that sparked controversy over obscenity.

A ministry official stated on the 27th, "Due to controversies regarding cultural acceptability, we plan to recall the books after consulting with the respective company." This action follows a complaint raised on the 25th by Kim Byung-wook, a member of the National Assembly's Education Committee from the United Future Party, who argued that some of the Nadawoom books glorify and promote homosexuality and explicitly depict sexual intercourse. Kim said, "The content seems to encourage sexual activity among elementary school students and is excessively obscene," adding, "The process of genital insertion is illustrated in detail, and sexual intercourse is described as an exciting and wonderful activity, almost like a kind of game." In response to these concerns, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye promised to take swift action.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Nadawoom books were selected among titles addressing gender sensitivity and aimed at helping children break free from gender stereotypes and respect diversity. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Lotte Holdings, and the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation have collaborated on this project since 2018, with the ministry distributing these books to school libraries. The seven books now under scrutiny were also chosen through expert review by elementary school teachers, child and adolescent literature critics, and picture book authors. These recalled titles have been used as educational materials for children's rights in countries such as Denmark, Sweden, France, Australia, and Japan.

Meanwhile, this controversy raises concerns about potential setbacks for the Nadawoom book project. The Green Umbrella Children's Foundation has expressed its intention to no longer participate as an executing agency, and Lotte Holdings stated that it is currently consulting with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family regarding the future of the project.

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