Prime Minister Jeong: "Japan Must Teach Correct History"...Criticism of Historical Distortion Textbooks

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun Photo by Yonhap News

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 31st that the Japanese government’s approval of textbooks containing claims of sovereignty over Dokdo is "the biggest obstacle blocking the future development of the two countries" and urged "to teach the correct history to the youth who will lead Japan’s tomorrow."

On the afternoon of the same day, Prime Minister Chung wrote on his social media (SNS), "Distorting the truth of history is a shameful act that repeats past mistakes."

The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology passed a social studies textbook at the Textbook Authorization Council meeting held the day before, which included expressions such as "Dokdo is Japan’s inherent territory" and "Korea is illegally occupying it." This textbook is mainly intended for first-year high school students in Japan, causing an aftershock.

Prime Minister Chung pointed out, "There may be history to reflect on, but there is no shameful history," adding, "What should truly be ashamed of is concealing and distorting past mistakes without reflection." He further emphasized, "Only by accurately understanding the historical atrocities committed by Japan in the past can the barbaric history be prevented from repeating."

Prime Minister Chung stressed, "Dokdo is clearly the territory of the Republic of Korea historically, geographically, and under international law, and it remains Korean territory in the past, present, and future," and added, "The 'forced mobilization' and Japanese military 'comfort women' caused by Japanese invasion are historical facts that can never be concealed."

He urged, "Japan, as a responsible member of the international community, should immediately withdraw its attempts to distort history and participate in improving Korea-Japan relations and peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia based on genuine reflection."

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