Dispute Erupts Over Right-Wing Textbook(The Korea Times)

This controversy over textbooks is particularly interesting in recasting the colonial and authoritarian questions in developmental terms.


Dispute Erupts Over Right-Wing Textbook(The Korea Times)

A conservative high school history textbook is igniting a fresh round of ideological conflicts as it acknowledges Japanese colonial rule's (1910-1945) contribution to the modernization of Korea.

The New Rights' Textforum's textbook focusing on ``modernization'' and pragmatism rather than ideology or ``ethics'' has put a twist on historical events. Historians and civic groups are denouncing the new textbook, calling it a ``distortion'' of history.

The most controversial parts are its evaluation of Japanese colonial rule and several military juntas. It says, ``it was the period where Koreans had the time and chance to get the ability to establish a modern state.''

The head of the Textfroum Prof. Lee Young-hoon, who used to cite Japan's contribution, was one of the 12 politically conservative professors who authored the book. He said he wanted to bring new aspects of history to light.

The economics expert said, ``these days, textbooks are written by leftists. But we wanted to paint a bigger picture of history,'' adding that colonials rule should not be judged in black and white.

Former President Park Chung-hee was also brought to the fore again.

Park walked a thin line between dictator ― taking hundreds of people's lives and destroying the country's democratic process ― versus a great leader who paved the road for Korea to become a strong economy.

Though admitting his advance into politics with the use of the military in 1961 was an illegal coup, the book says Park's regime gave Korea the chance to strengthen its national defense, and development in the chemicals industry. However, it does not mention Park's dark side― suppressing protests, which led to hundreds of people's deaths.

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