Routledge - Politics of Korean Language Textbooks in Two Koreas

Explore the deep connection between education and national identity with this scholarly study from Routledge. This book investigates the political forces embedded in Korean-language textbooks used between 1895 and 2019. By examining different historical eras, including pre-colonial, colonial, and the period of the divided Koreas, the author provides a detailed look at how language education functions in society. The research covers a wide scope, including the ethnic Korean group residing in Japan (Chongryon). Through a careful analysis of what is included and what is omitted from these texts, the book reveals how rulers have used primary school textbooks as a tool for political education. It explains how language instruction serves to control citizens and legitimize authority through the medium of schooling. This work is an essential resource for those studying Asian history, political science, and the evolution of nationalism in East Asia.