Controversy has arisen as the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education is reportedly classifying modern history books, such as “President Rhee Syngman’s Founding Story Told by Mom” and “Korean War Story Told by Grandpa,” which are available in elementary, middle, and high school libraries, as “historically distorted books” and has sent official notices to schools.

On the morning of November 7th, at 10 AM, the “Citizens’ Group and Parents’ Federation for Supporting Proper Education and School Autonomy” held a press conference in front of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education building, arguing that the measure is a direct violation of the constitutional and fundamental law on education’s obligation of political neutrality.

In particular, according to the group, “It is reported that education office officials have not raised any issues regarding the presence of books related to Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un in schools,” adding, “This is a prime example of applying selective standards, being lenient towards certain political spectra while excessively censoring specific historical narratives.”

The group criticized, “The process of founding the nation and the Korean War are fundamental areas directly linked to the identity of the Republic of Korea, and education should involve comparing and discussing various perspectives. For the education office to brand specific materials as problematic through administrative documents and exclude them is, in fact, censorship.”

They further asserted, “The education office is an institution that must preserve the diversity of learning, not an institution that selects and excludes materials based on specific political interpretations,” and “This measure is an overreach of authority and constitutes political interference.”

Additionally, the group pointed out, “There are also reports that the Gyeongbuk Teachers’ Union has requested an audit of a teacher who publicly stated that this matter was wrong, through the education office,” and “The pressure exerted on teachers who express differing views can also be seen as an extension of political interference.”

The group further criticized, “If books related to communist leaders are acceptable for children to read in a free Republic of Korea, while books related to the founding president and the Korean War are not, then what is the basis for such a standard? Isn’t it an idea that views the Republic of Korea as being like North Korea?”

The group demanded ▲ immediate withdrawal of the official notice ▲ investigation into the responsible parties ▲ public disclosure of verification procedures for political neutrality in future book selection processes. The group stated, “Modern history education should not be developed by prohibiting specific narratives, but rather by presenting and comparing more diverse materials,” and “This measure infringes upon students’ right to learn.”

Meanwhile, the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education has not yet released a separate statement on this matter.

Below is the full text of the statement.

Statement

Title: Urgent Appeal to the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education – Immediately Rectify the Double Standards in Book Policy

[ Citizens’ Group and Parents’ Federation for Supporting Proper Education and School Autonomy ]

Date of Release: November 7, 2025

We express grave concern regarding the recent incident where the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education sent official notices to schools across the province, effectively ordering the disposal of books from a specific publisher, and hereby issue the following statement.

1. Overview of the Incident

Under the guise of the National Institute of Korean History's judgment, the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education is unilaterally forcing the disposal of books from the publisher "Bodam," titled “President Rhee Syngman’s Founding Story Told by Mom” and “Korean War Story Told by Grandpa,” from school libraries. While maintaining the stance that “the selection and disposal of materials by schools are matters to be decided through deliberation by the individual school library operating committee,” the office is, in response to pressure from specific politically inclined politicians and organizations, slandering the relevant faculty members in the media and attempting to conduct politically motivated retaliatory audits, thereby overriding decisions or opinions regarding the retention of these books.

2. Issue Raised: Double Standards and Lack of Procedural Legitimacy

We draw attention to the fact that while the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education has targeted the aforementioned books for removal, other books with similar or identical political biases or controversies remain in school libraries. Examples include “My Friend Kim Jong Un,” “Who? Xi Jinping,” and “Xi Jinping, Embracing a Great China.” These books portray North Korean and Chinese leaders as positive figures, written to foster a positive image of certain ideologies. Notably, “My Friend Kim Jong Un” portrays Kim Jong Un in a friendly image, while referring to a conservative president only by name without using the title, creating social controversy. Nevertheless, we have confirmed with the responsible official at the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education that there are no issues with these books, no measures have been taken, and no intention to take any action exists. This deeply raises questions about the political neutrality of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education, and we express profound concern over these double standards.

Furthermore, we point out that the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education lacks clear internal standards or grounds for classifying the aforementioned books as historically distorted. This process of selecting, holding, and disposing of books in school libraries undermines the trust of parents and the local community and damages the transparency and fairness of educational administration.

Moreover, on September 12, 2023, parents and civic groups requested the disposal of harmful books in schools, and the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education promised to comply but has not yet done so. We urge swift action on this matter as well.

3. Our Demands

Therefore, we strongly urge the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education and the Superintendent to take the following actions:

First, although the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education claims the official notice was not a recommendation for book disposal, given the progression of events, it was practically a coercive measure for disposal in the eyes of schools. We demand that the office reissue an official notice guaranteeing autonomy so that school library operating committees, composed of parents, teachers, and community members, can make democratic decisions. This will establish minimal safeguards for ensuring school autonomy and preventing political bias.

Second, we strongly urge the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education to uphold political neutrality and not be swayed by specific political forces.

Third, the Superintendent should establish a channel for regular dialogue and consultation with parents and the local community and institutionalize the process of collecting and reflecting opinions on book policies.

4. Conclusion

Education is a noble endeavor that nurtures the future of a society and a shared responsibility to ensure children grow through diverse thinking and critical perspectives. School libraries should be arenas for open discussion and learning, rather than being confined by bias or ideology.

If books are selected and excluded in school libraries, where our children spend their time, through the prism of political standards or ideology, it is tantamount to the education office abandoning its fundamental duty of educational neutrality and student protection. Therefore, we strongly demand that the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education, seizing this opportunity, genuinely listen to the voices of parents and citizens and comprehensively review its book policies for transparency and fairness.

Editorial Department