MOFA Spokesperson’s Statement on Japan’s Authorization of High School Textbooks (March 18, 2016)

1. The Government of the Republic of Korea deeply deplores the fact that on March 18, the Japanese government once again approved high school textbooks that contain a distorted perspective on history, including unjustifiable claims to Dokdo, –– clearly an integral part of the ROK territory in terms of history, geography and international law –– and demands an immediate correction.

2. The Japanese government must not forget that teaching undistorted historic facts is its solemn obligation toward its future generations as well as its neighboring countries that have suffered from Japan’s past aggression.

3. The Government of the Republic of Korea once again urges that Japan, by facing history squarely, take sincere steps in efforts to open a new chapter in ROK-Japan relations.


* unofficial translation