The Chonnam Tribune asked students for their opinions about some social issues including state history textbook and Syrian refugee problems. How about reading this article and making your own opinion?

[State-authored History Textbook Controversy]

Lee Jae-ho (Sophomore, Dept. of Mathematics)

     A recent history textbook battle in South Korea ended up with the result which is very uncomfortable to admit. For few years, the Ministry of Education instructed publishers to revise several Korean history textbooks. Since then, fierce debate has gone on. Those who agree with the state control over school history textbooks argue that the liberal writers of existing textbooks have tended to ignore the negative aspects of the North Korean dictatorship, while the opposite blame conservatives for wanting to demonize the North. The Minister says that “History should be taught in one way to avoid the division of people.” However, I see this policy as a deliberate attempt to whitewash issues of autocratic rules and sugar coat matters of old conservatives including Park Chung-hee’s. In my opinion, we, students have the right to embrace various points of view. If the purpose of the government taking control over school history textbooks is to reinforce history education, they need to do something more than textbooks. For example, more field trips to a place where students feel and learn our history with their heart.

[South and North Korean Families Reunion Meeting]

Seo Young-ok (Freshman, Dept. of English Language and Literature)

     I can never imagine not seeing my family for a few years. However, hundreds of families have been separated since the Korean War and live on the other side of the border. I strongly suggest that in order to unify North and South Korea, we should overcome (or at least ignore) the ideological conflict. Therefore, I consider that it is desirable to always keep in mind that the North and South have the same nationality. Recently, after a series of military provocations and complications of talks, the families reunion meeting has taken place a year after the last reunion. Separated families, the words themselves arouse the real tragedy and horrors of war, is enough to make us feel the intense need and duty for unification. The famous line in the Korean Peninsula that “to unite is the destiny of the Korean” comes to my mind. As time goes by, the gap between North and South will get bigger. No matter how important it is to unite quickly, still, it should not be done through a one-way relationship by accommodating the North. So I think by building up the trust through the continuous mutual exchanges and negotiations between the North and South we will pursue a gradual unification. As case of embracing refugees, we should take time to distinguish whether he/she is safe enough to let in. Another way to change the negative perspectives of the people is by using celebrities as a model to advertise the need to help refugees and spread positive ideas toward refugees. Yet, the ultimate solution to the refugee crisis may be ending the war altogether.

By Yoo Hae-mi, Student Editor