In South Korea, contemporary history is omitted from the national school curriculum. The modern era (”geundae”) begins in 1876 with the “opening” of Joseon Korea to international trade and international market forces, and the contemporary era (”hyeondae”) begins in 1945 with liberation from Japanese colonial rule. Arguably the most diligent students in the world study everything except the entire history of their own republic, founded in 1948, and the entire history of the division, which was applied in 1945. Not one but every generation of South Koreans lacks the formal education to understand the historical context of the republic or the division beyond personal experiences and emotional expressions. Ignoring the past and reveling in economic success has been the national agenda set by dictators resistant to critical reflection.

I’d like to know if this is true.

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