The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 22 expressed "deep regret" over the Japanese government's approval of middle school textbooks claiming Japan's sovereignty over Dokdo Island. (Korea.net DB)

By Lee Kyoung Mi

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 22 expressed "deep regret" over the Japanese government's approval of history-distorting textbooks for middle school that claim Dokdo Island as part of Japan.

Spokesperson Lim Soosuk said in a statement that the ministry "strongly protests against the fact that the Japanese government once again authorized textbooks containing its preposterous claims over Dokdo, which is clearly an integral part of the ROK (Republic of Korea) territory historically, geographically and under international law."

"The ROK government makes it clear that Japanese claims over Dokdo are entirely unacceptable."

The statement also expressed "strong regret over the alterations made in the expressions and descriptions on the issues of 'comfort women' victims of the Imperial Japanese Army as well as forced labor victims during Japanese colonial rule, in a way that does not reveal the coercive nature."

"The ROK government urges the Japanese government to pursue history education based on the spirit of apology and remorse for its past history that the Japanese government itself has already expressed."

"As building a future-oriented bilateral relationship starts with a correct understanding of history, the ROK government hopes that the Japanese government will squarely face history and take a more responsible attitude in educating the young generation," it added.

On the same day, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology finalized reviews of textbooks to be used at middle schools from next year.

Most of the Japanese social studies textbooks approved this time describe Korea as "illegally occupying" Dokdo. Some also contain passages reflecting historical revisionism like denial of the use of coercion in the forced labor or sexual slavery of Koreans decades ago.

km137426@korea.kr