Defense ministry demands history textbook revision for better security awareness

By Yoo Jee-ho SEOUL, Aug. 23 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministry has asked the education ministry to revise standards for writing high school history textbooks to ensure better awareness of national security, a defense official said Tuesday. The official said the defense ministry on Aug. 12 informed the education ministry that four of the six history texts didn't include the phrase "legitimacy of the Republic of Korea." The defense ministry also noted that some books blamed South Korea for its authoritarian regime while glorying the North Korean government, and that they don't list North Korean provocations and other threats to the South's national security in the post-Korean War era. "Contents of these high school history texts are the main reason of the weakened security awareness among our young people," the defense official said. "The books have created confusion as to the true identities of South Korea, which should be protected, and of North Korea, which should be fought against, and people have lost their faith in the armed forces as a result." In its proposal to the education ministry, the defense ministry said history texts must clearly explain South Korea's foundation and its progress, and state that North Korea is "a failed system" that continues to threaten South Korea's peace and security with armed provocations. The defense ministry also said the South's military deserves proper recognition for its role in defending the country and contributing to the national development.