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A
British textbook
states a southern
part of Korea
was under Japanese
colonial rule
between 366
and 562, following
an unproved
theory supported
by right-wing
Japanese scholars.U.S.
textbooks
state that an
ancient Japanese
kingdom established
a military post
in a southern
tip of the Korean
Peninsula, an
allegation that
historians both
in Korea and
Japan largely
discredit.
These
are based on
the so-called
"Imna Annexation
by Japan"
(It functions
as the frame
of reference
to rationalize
the invasion
in the description
of the Korea-Japan
relationship)
A Canadian
textbook
states that
Korea was a
vassal state
of China for
hundreds of
years. A
Philippine textbook
states that
North Koreans
and South Koreans
belong to different
races, the former
being Mongolians
and the latter
mixed with Malaysians.
U.S. and
British, A Canadian,
and Philippine
textbooks
say that Korea
was a subject
state to China
and other neighboring
nations for
the most part
of its history.
Spain, Indonesia
and Thailand
textbooks
describe Korea
as a colony
or vassal state
to China for
hundreds or
thousands of
years. A
Canadian textbook
says that
Japan contributed
to Korea's modernization
by building
railways, roads
and ports, developing
industries and
expanding opportunities
for education,
a logic used
by some Japanese
scholars to
justify Japan's
brutal colonial
rule of Korea.
In most world
maps, atlases,
and textbooks
indicate Korea's
"East Sea
as the "Sea
of Japan"
Most
Korean information
in international
textbooks are
based to beautify
the history
of Japan(it
devalues Korean
history) on
a Japan-centrist
view on history.These
inaccuracies
regarding Korea
in international
textbooks were
reflected from
the contents
in Japanese
textbooks without
any verification,
which were delivered
to the world
by Japanese
scholars after
Japanese colonial
rule of Korea
from 1910 to
1945. ¡æ
What Japanese
textbooks say
¡æ
Fact
and fallacies
Korea in international
textbooks
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VANK is
a non-governmental organization and also a voluntary organization. VANK consists
of elementary, middle and high school students who provide correct information
about Korea to international textbook publishing companies and
publishers.
Korea has over 5,000 years history, well-matched cultural heritage and
has accomplished high-speed economic growth, but these facts have not been
introduced well yet in textbooks and publications all over the world.
Especially, Korea¡¯s developed image was introduced to the world through mass
communications, hosting the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, 2002 FIFA Korea/Japan
World Cup very successfully but Korean information introduced in international
textbooks is still insufficient or incorrect.
First of all most Korean information in international textbooks
has been delivered to the world through Japan or China not directly from Korea.
Good examples are describing the ¡®East Sea¡¯ as the ¡®Sea of Japan¡¯, world 13th
economic board of trade Korea as a farming country that is underdeveloped, 5,000
years of Korean history as 2,000 years history and describing Korea as the
vassal state of Japan and China.
These inaccuracies regarding Korea in international textbooks were
reflected from the contents in Japanese textbooks without any verification,
which were delivered to the world by Japanese scholars after Japanese colonial
rule of Korea from 1910 to 1945.
¡Ø ¡æ
What Japanese
textbooks say
http://www.prkorea.com/english/textbook/mainright.html
¡Ø ¡æ Fact
and fallacies Korea in international
textbooks
http://www.prkorea.com/english/textbook/main.html
¡Ø ¡æ Truth
in scholarship
http://www.prkorea.com/english/textbook/maintruth.html
We know that you endeavor in many ways to understand other
cultures and countries meeting the 21st century (globalization,
information-oriented are going on in 21st century). Especially, I think that
society and geography textbooks published by your company contribute greatly to
many students understanding of other countries cultures.
If you plan to review inaccurate contents about Korea or if you
plan to add new contents about Korea in your textbook, please contact to
VANK.
We have detailed educational and comprehensive data regarding
Korean history and culture, as well as digital pictures, which are all collected
by VANK members (10,000 elementary, middle and high school voluntary student
members). And we can provide you with this information willingly by post or
internet without any cost.
VANK¡¯s desires are that students all over the world can experience
correct Korean history and culture by our voluntary effort, taking this
opportunity and then sharing dreams and friendship with the rest of the
world.
Sincerely yours.
* Contact to VANK: 605 ho Immanuel Building 372-49, 3-dong Sindang Jung-gu Seoul,
S.KOREA.
TEL. 82-2-2237-7407 FAX. 82-2-2237-7409 email:
textbook@prkorea.org
(1) reference
1) Their claim that the East Sea has some historical precedent
worked, as some major book and map publishers, educational web sites and other
reference materials now include the East Sea name along with the Sea of Japan. -
worldatlas.com-
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/asia/eastsea.htm
2) We provide Korean pictures to the Photoatlas.com, you can see
the pictures at this site :
http://photoatlas.com/pics/pictures_of_korea.html
VANK stands for - ¡®Voluntary Agency Network of Korea¡¯, a civilian international
exchange association in Korea. We work for the promotion of Korea's image all
over the world by Internet. VANK was established in 1999 by volunteers, and now
has over 12,000 members. Using email or internet we serve as cyber travel guides
to overseas Koreans and foreigners so that they can understand Korean culture
and language better, and at the same time we hope we build international
friendships. VANK is a great chance for those who are interested in Korean
language, arts, cultural education, history, geography, social studies, sciences
to learn about our country, and we also welcome with open arms anyone just
wanting to make Korean friends!
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