Gov’t to boost Dokdo education
New Japanese textbooks renew claim to Dokdo
The Ministry of Education on Friday unveiled a comprehensive plan on school education on Korea’s easternmost islets of Dokdo, following Japan’s persistent claim to the territory.
The Japanese government on the same day approved privately published high school history textbooks, which downplay Japan’s past of imperialism and mark Dokdo as ”Japan’s inherent territory,” claiming “Korea’s illegal occupation” of the islets.
“We express deep disappointment and regret — the education ministry strongly denounces Japan’s move and demands its withdrawal,” ministry spokesperson Ju Myung-hyun said in a briefing following the news from Japan. “Justifying erroneous views of history and infringing on another nation’s territorial sovereignty through education plants seeds of conflict in future generations, and hinders the peace and prosperity of Northeast Asia.”
Japan’s approval of the textbooks has increased the number of books claiming territorial rights to Dokdo to 46 out of a total of 59 books, from 37 out of 60 in 2012.
Under the ministry’s plan, schools will continue to designate a week in April to teach intensively about Dokdo in both regular and extracurricular classes. Students will also engage in various activities such as visiting the Dodkdo Exhibition Hall, writing essays, making videos, creating posters and taking part in campaigns.
The Northeast Asian History Foundation and regional educational offices will assist schools.
The ministry has already distributed 1.75 million textbooks specializing in Dokdo, to schools in March. The book contains Dokdo’s history and the efforts Korea has made to protect the territory.
In addition, the ministry, with regional education offices, will for the first time create and distribute teaching materials on Dokdo to teachers by August.
For the public, there will also be Dokdo exhibitions at KTX stations — two are planned to be held at Yongsan and Dongdaegu stations in April. The ministry will also boost efforts in distributing Dokdo pamphlets and online videos.
Moreover, the ministry will select 25 Dokdo research groups comprised of teachers and provide funding for them as well as opportunities to visit the islets.
The ministry will continue to host a nationwide contest for middle and high school students, where they take tests on the history, geography and international law on Dokdo.
The ministry plans on increasing the number of Dokdo exhibition halls across the country.
Civic groups denounced Japan’s move.
The Asia Peace & History Education Network hosted a press conference, the same day, calling for the Japanese government to stop approving the textbooks claiming rights to Dokdo.