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'Dokdo' island classes to become mandatory for S Korean children

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Okay this is getting ridiculous.

13 ( +17 / -4 )

How absurd. I normally have a fair amount of respect for South Korea and the leadership role it has been increasingly taking in global affairs -- but certainly not in this case.

The Korean government and people should be ashamed of even considering this use of childhood education as an outright propaganda tool. This sounds like something that would be on the curriculum of a backward and fascist nation pre-WWII.

Taking such a pitiful attitude toward "education" could become a significant factor in threatening the safety, security and well-being of citizens of the entire East Asian region, and is not befitting of a modern and democratic South Korea that should be acting much more rationally.

10 ( +16 / -6 )

I travel a lot to SK as I have a joint role in supporting our office here and there. There's propaganda miniatures set at the Airport of the island and at subway stations. Next to my hotel where I normally stay there's a museum with "facts" to why the island is South Korean. I don't know much of the issue but I feel that the Japanese are much calmer in comparison to the Koreans when it comes to this dispute. I respect the Japanese over this any day!

10 ( +14 / -4 )

More immature posturing by Korea. Japan´s neighbours are really an embarrassment to themselves.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Brain washing the children. Only a insecure country would do this. What other possible explanation would there be? South Korea like China just can't forget about WW II.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

This kind of stupidity is why so many Asian disputes just go on and on and provoke such overreaction in their people. Should rather be teaching the ways in which S Korea and Japan cooperate and can support each other than this nonsense.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Chucky,

You might want ask AFP why this is news but I guess teaching a mandatory 10 hours of something that their own government claims as "not a dispute" is very comical, IMO.

Yes. Japan did ask to settle this matter via ICJ last year but they refused. There was never a threat to end diplomatic relations from government officials nor any economic threats. Perhaps you should cool down your melo drama.

4 ( +11 / -7 )

In the meantime, try not to let the fact that K-pop beats out J-pop even in Japan hurt you too much.

Smith,

Are still believing the K-hype? How many Kpoop artists are in the top 25 for 2012 Singles in Japan? Same question for top 25 in albums. I will save you the embarrassment by not giving you the answer in writing but it may be advisable for you to look this up before responding to my post. If you don't have the ability to look this up due to your poor Japanese skills, I will be more than happy to assist you but please bear in mind that you will definitely regret when you stated the above. Your choice.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Poor South Korean children, being used as pawns in South Korean politicians' pathetic ploys.

This is a clear and simple human rights violation, these children are being fed propaganda, not educated, and it will affect them for life. Politicians should NOT be allowed to interfere in education in any country.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Yeah. Nothing creepy about a little nationalist indoctrination. No sir.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Are they going to teach that Korean forces kidnapped, held hostage, injured, and killed Japanese fishermen in the process of taking control of the island??

2 ( +10 / -8 )

Looks like the SK govt is playing tit for tat. "Okay. You hold a street rally for territory claim? We will increase the number of pages in school textbooks regarding our claim". LOL, not really. Sad. Both sides need to stop.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

how sweet today's world is becoming fast, did they misspell this, it says 'south' , i thought that was more like something their counterpart is always accused of ? sad, waste 10 hours of ever so important child education on propaganda ... sad

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Is it not 'forward thinking' enough for you?

It's typical Korean style. Perhaps a "Dokdo" song to have these schoolchildren sing??? Oh.. They already do tha

Because it's not an issue for South Korea; only Japan is in doubt about ownership.

if it's not an issue, why did the Korean government not only complain but stated that there will be "grave consequences" when it was announced that some Deputy cabinet members would attend the Takeshima ceremony in Shimane??

2 ( +8 / -6 )

SK brainless gov is going to further brainwashing to their children? How ridiculous! PLZ do not involve the innocent children in their lunatic chicken race.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Their starting to sound like N.K

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Bit OTT don't you think?.....

1 ( +5 / -4 )

They can assert their claim to the islands in three sentences, max. After that, the "lessons" are going to flood the impressional young minds with anti-Japanese propaganda to help perpetrate bad feelings. Koreans have a deep need to present themselves to each others as victims. No wonder they're so insecure.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

cubic: "Schools should be spending their time educating kids and equipping them with skills that will be useful in the real world, not spending hours teaching them about the 'importance' of some tiny islands which are irrelevant outside of these petty disputes...or if you're a fisherman."

Bang on. It is an utter waste, and already South Korea boasts the highest number of per school hours in the world, with Japan following second. Let the people decide for themselves -- don't force it on them.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

brainwashing 101.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

South Koreans will also be required to say "I got Dokou'd" when someone takes something of theirs.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

One person commented the following on CNN website yesterday:

"The San Francisco Peace Treaty, signed in September 1951, stipulates that Japan, recognizing the independence of Korea, renounces all right title and claim to Korea, including the islands of Quelpart, Port Hamilton and Dagelet". Upon learning of the content of this part of the Treaty drafted by the United States and the United Kingdom, the ROK requested the United States to add Takeshima as one of the regions for which Japan would renounce all right, title and claim. The United States rejected the request by responding that Takeshima had never been treated as part of Korea and does not appear ever before to have been claimed by Korea. Such correspondence clearly shows that Takeshima was affirmed as part of the territory of Japan."

1 ( +1 / -0 )

How many tons of TNT would it take to blast the damned rock to smithereens? It would save everyone a lot of time and trouble.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Why not? Japan has no right to complain when Japan also controls the education so that children do not learn the truth about their country's history and sins.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

why isn't it 'logican' for Japan to take the Senkakus to the ICJ? -

Smith

Simple. But one must have some common sense to understand this simple concept.

Defendants don't file a complaint ON BEHALF of the plaintiff. Now if you could figure out which country belongs to which side of the party, you're all set.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Japan has about as much chance of getting Dokdo back from Korea as China has of getting Taiwan back. not going to happen well not in our life times.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

It looks like klkhr6363fe is off his meds again.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

lol i can barely take this seriously common now sk, apparently these islands are some serious crap, they're willing to make fools of themselves over it.... I like sk and all but they really are going too far in recent years. the islands were probably used by both people for countless years and never encountered each other, but what is up with people whinning about things so much lately? SK, China, "Palastine" it's a bit deplorable even if the lioncourt rocks were korea's at one time they lost them cause they japan ruled them for 30ish years, why don't they whine about the northern part of their own country that was taken by pinko trash? i find it odd that in my experience with korean people too many prefer NK over japan which is just wrong...

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Same reason Abe announced there would be consequences to anyone contesting ownership of the Senkakus, save that South Korea doesn't hide behind the legs of the US military

I tend to think that a possible naval incursion or attack on territories are quite different from holding an annual ceremony, me thinks.

If so it would top the charts for Oricon and Japanese youth everywhere would be singing it at karaoke without knowing what it meant.

Get with the program Smith. You got to sing in Japanese lyrics just like the K Poopsters performing and releasing songs in Japan.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

nigelboy: "You got to sing in Japanese lyrics just like the K Poopsters performing and releasing songs in Japan."

Making the J-companies even bigger suckers than they already were. All the same, that 14 year old studying Korean so she doesn't have to use the horrible Katakana phonetics to sing her favourite songs can keep on plugging.

"I tend to think that a possible naval incursion or attack on territories are quite different from holding an annual ceremony, me thinks."

Either way, Abe's tough talk end up with him doing nothing when more Chinese ships went into the disputed waters recently, but no Japanese can go near Dokdo.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

If history classes (or, indeed, any classes) are to work, an education system must encourage wide research and understanding, together with humility and self-reflection. Well, I'm just saying...

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This from a guy who can't help admitting he's wrong (example, Samsung).

No smith. It's Samsung, LG, Hyundai, ETC, remember??

0 ( +4 / -4 )

@Chucky: when Japan has been throwing darts at Korea ever since last summer? This included threats to take Korea to the world court, threats to end diplomatic relations, threats to economically harming S.Korea, etc etc, which all never materialized due to Japan's tough empty air filled talk.

Wrong. Taking Korea to ICJ is not a threat, it is what people call a logican action. What you are talking about are not threats. As for the threats to economicly harme SK, this sounds more like propaganda against Japan in Korea media, used to justify whatever nationalistic classes the K government wnats to introduce.

Japan longing for their pre-WWII glory days, with extreme nationalism sweeping Japan. Look at all the childish anti-KPOP protests/hate rallies, and Korean conspiracy theories floating around in Japan for example.

Obviously, you do not live in Japan and get information from internet articles only. For your information, Japanese schools do not teach propaganda against the country’s neighbors. The anti-K rallies you are talking about have been attended by mere several hundred people each, which can be hardly representative of the general sentiment in Japan (the country’s population is approximately 128 million).

0 ( +5 / -5 )

"Brainwashing, plain and simple. Worse than anything I've ever seen in America..."

Says the guy recommending a blog.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Nice way of doing things. Japan send an official and korea give 10hr classes to theor children. And I know tha hosr lessons will turn racist.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

issa1: "No matter how much noise they make, Takeshima belongs to Japanese people. End of story!"

I guess you missed the part where these islands are South Korean. But good luck with that.

-1 ( +10 / -11 )

I hope the schoolchildren will get a very good lesson about Takeshima history, and why it belongs to Japan.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

nigelboy: "if it's not an issue, why did the Korean government not only complain but stated that there will be "grave consequences" when it was announced that some Deputy cabinet members would attend the Takeshima ceremony in Shimane??"

Same reason Abe announced there would be consequences to anyone contesting ownership of the Senkakus, save that South Korea doesn't hide behind the legs of the US military.

"t's typical Korean style. Perhaps a "Dokdo" song to have these schoolchildren sing??? Oh.. They already do tha"

If so it would top the charts for Oricon and Japanese youth everywhere would be singing it at karaoke without knowing what it meant.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

I assume they spend hours studying this already. They have just made it official.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

nigelboy: "You got to sing in Japanese lyrics just like the K Poopsters performing and releasing songs in Japan."

Making the J-companies even bigger suckers than they already were. All the same, that 14 year old studying Korean so she doesn't have to use the horrible Katakana phonetics to sing her favourite songs can keep on plugging.

"I tend to think that a possible naval incursion or attack on territories are quite different from holding an annual ceremony, me thinks."

Either way, Abe's tough talk end up with him doing nothing when more Chinese ships went into the disputed waters recently, but no Japanese can go near Dokdo.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Whether it's propaganda or not, there are undoubtedly more important things to learn about. People will argue about the importance of learning about "national identity", "heritage", etc until the cows come home, but let's face it - you should be left to make up your own mind about that.

Schools should be spending their time educating kids and equipping them with skills that will be useful in the real world, not spending hours teaching them about the 'importance' of some tiny islands which are irrelevant outside of these petty disputes...or if you're a fisherman.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Making the J-companies even bigger suckers than they already were. All the same, that 14 year old studying Korean so she doesn't have to use the horrible Katakana phonetics to sing her favourite songs can keep on plugging.

In this case, the sucker must be the 14 year old. Give it a couple months. All of them will grow out of it as many have done so in rapid time.

Either way, Abe's tough talk end up with him doing nothing when more Chinese ships went into the disputed waters recently, but no Japanese can go near Dokdo

Yeah. I recall some boat operators refuse to accept Japanese passengers to Takeshima. How childish.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

'Explaining' South Korea's ownership of the islands. Sounds like they are leaving plenty of room for students to think and form their own opinions. Unfortunately, there are strains of this one-dimensional approach to education in Japan, while China leaves next to no opportunity to dissent. A recipe for disaster.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

nigelboy: "You might want ask AFP why this is news but I guess teaching a mandatory 10 hours of something that their own government claims as "not a dispute" is very comical, IMO."

Is it not 'forward thinking' enough for you?

"Yes. Japan did ask to settle this matter via ICJ last year but they refused."

Because it's not an issue for South Korea; only Japan is in doubt about ownership.

uchina: "I hope the schoolchildren will get a very good lesson about Takeshima history, and why it belongs to Japan."

I can just see it:

School kid: "Sensei, if the islands are ours, why does South Korea own them?"

Teacher: "South Korea does not own them. We do, without question."

School Kid: "Then why don't we own them?"

Teacher: "We DO own them! Stop talking!"

School Kid: "Why are you shaking, sensei?"

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

In my opinion, Japan should use the Senkakus to make a deal with South Korea, thereby unleashing the great potential that friendship between the two countries would bring. Such a grand gesture would work in Japan's favor as, besides the benefits of increased trade and easing of tensions, this part of the world needs a strong alliance between its only two democracies to create a stronger bulwark against Chinese expansionism (and the despicable lunacy of its vassal state, North Korea).

P.S. Jane M...I think you should realize that "chucky", who regularly spouts his delusions on here and his own anti-Japanese website, is a racist living with a 1930s mindset, is still lusting for revenge and understands very little about present-day Japan. He conveniently avoids criticizing a corrupt Chinese government that not only, (like both Koreas), still brainwashes their children with wartime-like anti-Japanese propaganda but also, to maintain its own power, teaches its kids that democracy is bad for China while trying its utmost to restrict any access to the truth about their own failings. In my opinion, Japan should use the Senkakus to make a deal with South Korea thereby unleashing the great potential that friendship would bring. Such a grand gesture would work in Japan's favor as this part of the world needs a strong alliance between its only two democracies and create a strong bulwark against Chinese expansionism (and the despicable lunacy of its vassal state, North Korea).

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Brainwashing, plain and simple. Worse than anything I've ever seen in America, pretending that our Founding Fathers were ultra right wing Christians instead of extremely intelligent, free-thinking modern men.

For more info on this topic, read the Dokdo or Takeshima? blog at http://dokdo-or-takeshima.blogspot.jp/

Unfortunately the write is no longer in South Korea because he was fired when they found out that he dared not support the Korean side entirely. So he's back in Texas, though he continues to provide valuable information to everyone.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

While I think this is very silly, is it really any different than the history classes here that portray Japan as the victim of WWII?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

No matter how much noise they make, Takeshima belongs to Japanese people. End of story!

-3 ( +10 / -13 )

There is no Island called Dokdo or doko??? Whatever .Its called TAKESHIMA.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Smith, ever consider moving to Korea and changing your name to smithinkorea? Sure sounds like you have grown jaded with Japan and need a break or a change. I see great opportunities as an English/Dokdo teacher opening in Korea soon!

I always thought it was somewhat comical that despite being in control of the islands, there is so many protests/required lessons/drama over it? I could understand this behaviour if for example they were under Japanese control, but they are not. Korea has them, Japan wants them, but ultimately cant have them.

There is talk about Japan going back to its war time behaviour, but classroom propoganda, claims of superiority and saying Japan must bow to them... Sounds like SK is the one that is adopting Japan's old behaviour!

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

nigelboy: "In this case, the sucker must be the 14 year old. Give it a couple months. All of them will grow out of it as many have done so in rapid time."

You guys tried that outside the broadcasting stations and with your netoyou connections, but the people of Japan still demand K-pop and Korean dramas more than the local hack stuff. They also demand better and cheaper electronics, which is why Samsung outsells all its Japanese counterparts (ouch!).

"Yeah. I recall some boat operators refuse to accept Japanese passengers to Takeshima. How childish."

Just check out the pic of Abe bowing down and know the real reason he's doing so isn't because of his pork-barrel politics but because he is begging SK. The emperor himself has bowed down and admitted Korean blood in the dynasty, so no reason Abe shouldn't either. In the meantime, try not to let the fact that K-pop beats out J-pop even in Japan hurt you too much.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

.....South Korea like China just can't forget about WW II.

Just as the Jews can't forget about the holocaust.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

"In this case, the sucker must be the 14 year old. Give it a couple months. All of them will grow out of it as many have done so in rapid time."

This from a guy who can't help admitting he's wrong (example, Samsung).

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Cortes: T"heir starting to sound like N.K"

I think you mean 'they're', but regardless, you're right -- sounding more and more like Japanese white-washing and textbooks.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

JaneM: "Taking Korea to ICJ is not a threat, it is what people call a logican action."

'Logican' action, eh? Forgetting for a moment how wrong that is and pretending Japanese grammar or what have you were correct, why isn't it 'logican' for Japan to take the Senkakus to the ICJ? Ah.... it's only 'logican' when it's logican, right?

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Korea to the west, china in the south and russia to the north... just hope Hawaii will not claim the Izu islands....

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Sensato, so now you think that SK is using the education as a propaganda tool. What is wrong with teaching the facts of history? Do you really think that there is no truth in it?

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

Perhaps you should cool down your melo drama.

I don't think it's melo drama with Japan longing for their pre-WWII glory days, with extreme nationalism sweeping Japan. Look at all the childish anti-KPOP protests/hate rallies, and Korean conspiracy theories floating around in Japan for example.

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

Why is this even news, when Japan has been throwing darts at Korea ever since last summer? This included threats to take Korea to the world court, threats to end diplomatic relations, threats to economically harming S.Korea, etc etc, which all never materialized due to Japan's tough empty air filled talk.

And now this is just Korea's way of responding to the Japanese government attending the Takeshima rally which is the final straw that breaks the back.

-10 ( +7 / -17 )

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