President Park defends unified history textbooks decision

South Korean President Park Geun-hye. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

President Park Geun Hye defended her plan to issue a unified version of history textbooks across the country, in a parliament speech on Tuesday 27th October. She said the it’s the older generations’ mission to present the youth with a correct version of history to prepare them for the future.

She added that these government-issued textbooks would help younger generations to have unchanged faith in their country amid the ever-changing international society, according to KBS Radio.

Park warned that South Korea could be invaded by other countries intellectually and economically and have its national spirit fade away if the Korean people failed to know their correct history and identity.

She clarified that the unification of history textbooks aims to help students understand history more clearly and have pride in being Korean. She emphasized on the importance of not turning this issue into a political dispute.

She finally promised that she’ll work her hardest to ensure Korea’s identity remains strong and to make South Korea a proud country through exact details of history in text books.