Park warns of unification ‘by N.Korea’ without textbook changes Park warns of unification ‘by N.Korea’ without textbook changes South Korean president says current textbooks legitimate N.Korea, hinder national pride

Jiwon Song April 27th, 2016

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South Korean President Park Geun-hye said that the Korean Peninsula would be unified “by North Korea” and “for North Korea” if public school students do not learn history with state-sponsored textbooks.

Park stressed history education and unification on Tuesday during a meeting with South Korean media. Park said that some present history textbooks “approve the legitimacy of the North Korean regime,” promoting unification of the Korean Peninsula under North Korean terms.

Park cited some examples, including some textbooks description of the North Korean regime’s founding as a “state establishment” and the South as a “government establishment,” which she said prioritizes Pyongyang over Seoul. She also said some current history textbooks “shift responsibility for the Korean War to both the South and the North,” which downplays Korean citizens’ sacrifices in the war.

“At the same time, South Korea is a role model for many developing countries in terms of economic development. Some current history textbooks illustrate the negative sides of it, discouraging the young generation’s pride in Korea,” said Park.

The controversy over state-sponsored history was ignited last year when South Korean government decided to publish state-supported history textbooks, saying privately designed textbooks had a leftist, pro-North perspective. Criticism of the government’s move has been raised domestically and abroad.

Park ended her remark saying “without a proper history education, the future generation will not take pride in South Korea,” while viewing Pyongyang as legitimate.

Pak Noja, a professor of Oslo University told NK News that Park’s remarks seem to be those of a conservative politician “begging for support” and using North Korea their last card.

Park’s party was defeated in the recent general assembly elections, losing the majority of seats for the first time since 2008.

“Park Geun-hye’s power as a politician is virtually over. She’s now undergoing a lame-duck phase toward the end of her presidency. She will go through a number of investigations on alleged scandals, such as the National Intelligence Service’s manipulation of public opinion during the last presidential election,” said Pak.

The South Korean presidential office told reporters after the meeting not to upload the full text of the president’s remarks online.