It has been 74 years that Korea gained independence, but Japanese culture still remain at schools in Korea.
Efforts are being made to clear away the remnants of Japanese colonialism to gain true independence from Japan.
Joseph Kim reports.

[slug] High school in Jeju

This is a high school in Jeju.
The Japanese juniper tree is the symbol of this centennial school.

[slug] Leftovers of Japanese colonialism: School symbol tree, outdoor podium

Outdoor podiums found at every Korean school are also leftovers of Japanese militarism.
Memorial stones for pro-Japanese Koreans and administrative districts named under the Japanese system also serve as reminders of the colonial era.
Efforts are being made to clear away the remnants of Japanese colonialism to gain true independence from Japan.

[slug] Ordinances to get rid of Japanese colonialism remnants enacted in July

Following the enactment of the ordinances for clearing away the vestiges of Japanese colonialism last month, the province’s education office has begun the task of removing the offending marks.

[slug] POE to form a committee to clear away traces of Japanese colonialism

The office will organize a committee comprised of experts including historians to investigate all of the local schools to find and correct these remnants of Japanese colonialism.
Names of schools and administrative districts, designations of school trees, the creation of school songs and the rigid relationship between seniors and juniors are examples of Japanese cultural influence.

INTERVIEW
Song Chang-gwon / Councilor
Following the liberation, a military junta ruled over the country. This history produced nondemocratic factors within schools. We're working on finding and rooting out traces of Japanese culture.
<인터뷰 : 송창권 의원>
"우리나라가 일제로부터 해방되고 나서도 군사문화가 이어지다 보니까 교육에 있어서 비민주적인 요소들이 많이 있습니다. 그런 것을 찾아나가면서 진행하려고 하고 있습니다."

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Kim Yong-min

Local educational authorities are planning to phase out or replace Japanese culture.

Joseph Kim, KCTV