Pro-North Teaching Agenda Uncovered

The Korean Teachers and Educational Worker`s Union (KTEWU) is creating a stir as it has been disclosed that its Busan branch copied much of the book Modern Chosun History published by the North Korea Academy of Social Science in 1983 when it was making educational materials for teachers on unification issues last year.

The controversial book transcribed much of North Korea’s views on the Korean history, not only describing the Korean War as the Fatherland Liberation War, but introducing Juche ideology, North Korea’s guiding ideology of self-reliance.

The book was used at the Education Center for Unification (ECU) as teaching materials for teachers of subjects related to unification issues such as social science, moral education and history.

This was revealed through its analysis on “Pro-North Korea Teaching Materials on Unification Issues” by the Busan branch of the KTEWU, said a report made on Tuesday by the New Right group, Committee for the Review of on the Facts for Pro-North Korea Activities (CRFP).

The Busan branch taught some 30 teachers with the controversial teaching materials at its lecture hall every Tuesday between October 18 and November 1, 2005.

Some of the titles of the lectures were: “Fights for Independence during the Japanese Occupation”; “Modern History of North Korea after Liberation”; and “New Ideologies Revealed during Nuclear Conflict between North Korea and the United States.”

The CRFP said that critical contents of Fights for Independence during the Japanese Occupation and Modern History of North Korea after Liberation were very similar to the Modern Chosun History of North Korea.

The book also explained the historical significance of the Korean Independence War during Japan’s occupation as, “Revolutions that seek ways to achieve the independence of laborers under the doctrine of Juche ideology.” The exact same writing can be found on page 94 of the Modern Chosun History.

Regarding the Korean War, the controversial book copied page 158 of Modern Chosun History, saying Kim Il Sung publicly announced his achievements on the battlefield on June 26.

And while teaching the New Ideologies Revealed during nuclear conflict between North Korea and the United States, it praised the military-first politics of North Korea, calling it "songun" politics.

“The classes were held at the ECU at the request of teachers who wanted to learn in-depth knowledge about North Korea. It is true that the book quoted considerable amounts from the Modern Chosun History. We did so because we believed it was a good way to introduce North Korea’s history,” Yang Hye-jeong, a senior official at the Busan branch of the KTEWU, said.

“The book dealing with unification issues published by the Busan branch denies the legitimacy of the South Korean government but justifies the North Korean regime. Teachers who learn pro-North Korea history are likely to teach false history to students,” professor Je Sung-ho of Chung-Ang University said.

“The book contains many historically incorrect statements. For instance, its argument that Kim Il Sung organized the Chosun Revolutionary Army and the Chosun People’s Revolutionary Army is groundless. The book lost its balance as it particularly emphasizes the achievements of Kim Il Sung without mentioning other pro-independence activists,” Je continued.

zeitung@donga.com