Korean agencies to study Indian text books; advise changes, more Korean content
To be contacted: Indian Ministry of Education, National Council of Educational Research and Training NCERT, SCERT, State Education Boards, private educational institutions including schools, colleges and universities.
SEOUL: The apex body of Korean community Federation of Korean Associations in India together with the Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK) – a private diplomatic mission, has decided to analyse Korea-related content in Indian elementary, middle and high school textbooks, and propose corrections and supplements to relevant Indian organizations. The initiative aims at improving the image of the Republic of Korea not only by advising corrections in the published content but also address the issue of misreporting or underreporting of Korean content by suggesting more relevant content to be added into the books.
A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of the World Federation of Korean Associations represented by Chairman Shim Sang-man, Federation of Korean Associations in India (FKAI) led by Chairman Park Euy-don, and VANK Director Park Gi-tae in Soeul on February 18 to jointly pursue the correction of errors or supplementation of content related to Korea in Indian textbooks. FKAI aims at completing the elementary research and compilation of text books and other printed material and hand it over to VANK by June-end.
VANK is a cyber diplomacy organization of 120,000 Korean and international members united under the purpose of properly introducing Korea to the world and promoting cultural exchange through international friendships.
According to Park Euy-don considering the fact that India has recently emerged as a next-generation global production base, the entry of Korean companies into the We agreed that there was a need to make people aware of accurate information about Korea and decided to pursue this project.
“South Korea and India has deep-rooted relationship as old as 2000 years when an Indian princess tarvelled to Korea and married King Kim Suro and became Queen Heo (Huh) Hwang-ok of Gaya kingdom. In the contemporary world the first lot of Korean prisoners of War (POWs) of Korean War 1950-53 reached India in 1954 completing 70 years of existence of Koreans in India. Not only that, India was amongst a few countries that supported Korea in the Korean war. But not myuch has been reported in the Indian text books,” Park Euy-don told Asian Community News (ACN) Network.
For this, he said, FKAI would reach out to various Indian organizations including the Ministry of Education, National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), SCERT, State Education Boards, private educational institutions including schools, colleges and universities requesting to them to make corrections and include more information about Korea into the text books.
“The World Federation of Korean Associations and the Korean Association of India will acquire Indian elementary, middle and high school textbooks by the end of June and deliver them to VANK, and VANK will cooperate by deriving corrections and supplements through analysis to revise or supplement them with related organizations related to textbooks in India,” he added. The FKAI is the representative body of 10 regional Korean association with about over 17,000 Korean nationals living in India.
The World Federation of Korean Association was established in October 2021 with the purpose of contributing to the development of the Korean community by seeking to improve the status of Koreans around the world and expanding various cooperative activities with their home countries, and its members consist of presidents of Korean associations around the world.
VANK was founded in 1999 when one young man began exchanging emails with a pen pal and became shocked to find that his international friends either knew very little about Korea or possessed incorrect information about Korea. Founder Park Gi Tae began to imagine a future where Koreans could establish sincere relationships with international friends from all over the world. Through these relationships, the global community could gain a holistic and accurate understanding of Korea.
The numerous members of VANK have taken upon roles as cyber diplomats in order to share Korea with the world and rectify international misrepresentations of Korea. VANK cyber diplomats hope to improve the image of Korea in the global society while simultaneously gaining a better understanding of their country and the countries of their international friends. When provided with the right opportunities through VANK, people of all ages and backgrounds are able to act as diplomats of Korea. VANK members are encouraged to realize their personal dreams in the context of their identities as Korean citizens and members of the global community.
Apart from young Koreans becoming cyber diplomats, they can also assume the role of global PR ambassadors, and world changers, which have been adopted by over 500 student clubs in elementary, middle and high schools nationwide. Some universities grant academic credit for VANK activities. To support their activities, VANK has produced over 70 kinds of promotional materials ab out Korean history, culture, and tourism. Over a million copies have been sent to more than 150 country.
Our vision is for Korea to develop into the hub of Asia, the gateway to Northeast Asia, and a loved country that shares friendships and dreams with people for all over the world. Our mission is to help youth improve Korea’s national prestige, play a role in making the world a better place, and realize their own dreams through these efforts.
