The Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations welcomed the recommendations, saying "It is right to correct content that denies the legitimacy and constitutionalism of the country. Further review and complementary measures will be needed to prevent controversies of this kind in the future."

But the hardline Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union said the ministry was "acknowledging ideological controversy provoked by the government for political reasons," describing it as "a blatant violation of the political neutrality of education." The union plans further action.

Six publishers told to correct the history textbooks by the ministry will decide whether to accept the recommendations in discussion with the editors. However, it is likely to be a tough task as some of the editors are strongly opposed to them.

Prof. Kim Han-jong of Korea National University of Education, who wrote a controversial history textbook for Kumsung Publishing, said, "I find it hard to accept some of the recommendations." He added it was a problem that the ministry devised the recommendation "through an organization that has no legal authority" -- the so-called Textbook Forum.

Prof. Chu Chin-oh of Sangmyung University, who wrote a textbook published by the Institute for Better Education, said, "About half of some 50 recommendations are simple comments without much significance. This reflects the fact that the whole debate was exaggerated from the start." He said the writers of the textbooks will act together to react to the ministry's recommendations.

An official at the ministry said since forcing the writers to correct textbooks goes against the spirit of competition among publishers, the ministry will do whatever it can to solve the issue through dialogue and consensus.

(englishnews@chosun.com )