South Korean Musicians To Hold Free Concert To Voice Out Their Opposition Against Implementation of Government-Authored History Textbooks in Schools

by Therese Agcopra / Nov 04, 2015 03:47 AM EST

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South Korean musicians are coming together to express their opposition against the government's plan to implement the mandatory use of government-issued history textbooks throughout the country.

Korea Times reported Tuesday, Dream Factory, an entertainment agency headed by singer Lee Seung Hwan, has announced that they will be holding a free concert on Oct. 4, Wednesday, at 7 p.m in Hongdae.

The performers' line-up include rockers and rappers Lee, 10cm, Garion, Pia, Daybreak, Rock 'N' Roll Radio and Tatles. Also attending the event are cartoonist Kang Full and journalist Joo Ji Nu.

The concert, themed, "Don't cover one of your eyes", encourages audience aged 15 to 29 years old to participate in the event.

Through this concert, participants hope to voice out their concerns about the government's plan to impose the mandatory usage of government-authored history textbooks.

The government's "Correct Textbook of History" campaign has been widely criticized for being an offense against freedom of speech and expression.

Under the current system, schools are allowed to select from different history textbooks published by eight private publishing houses.

The "Correct Textbook of History" program will replace the old system, and will launch state-approved history books authored by a panel of teachers and experts appointed by the government.

Reports quoted Dream Factory as saying, "All the guests agreed to take to the stage as they decided to cheer the young adults who decided to challenge the adults in higher seats who wield unfairness and act unethically.

"We want to show the 'adults' who try to cover our eyes that 'we will only learn the legitimately written history and are monitoring the situation with eyes wide open.'"

The Guardian noted Tuesday, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo Ahn and Minister for Education Hwang Woo Yea has confirmed that middle and high school students will begin using government-issued history textbooks in 2017.