**War Memorial Foundation’s “Different Perspectives” – Use of China’s One-sided Propaganda Terms**
The War Memorial Foundation, which operates the War Memorial in Seoul’s Yongsan, has stirred controversy by opening an educational program that includes the Chinese perspective (Chinese People’s Volunteer Army) on the Korean War. The foundation advertised this program on their website, presenting both South Korea’s historical view that “June 25 is North Korea’s unlawful invasion” and China’s justification term for their participation in the Korean War, “Resist America, Aid Korea” (抗美援朝), as if they were equivalent perspectives. The foundation removed the promotional material from the website and suspended the program after the controversy arose on the 9th.
The foundation launched a program titled “Different Interpretations of the Korean War,” accepting participants via the War Memorial’s website since last month. Targeting students from fourth grade and above, the program aimed to help participants understand the Korean War from various perspectives by comparing the views of South Korea and China. The program was planned to be held offline at the War Memorial on the 13th and 25th after the application deadline.
The promotional poster posted by the foundation bore phrases such as “Different Interpretations of the Korean War” and “Two Views of the Yalu River.” Below the phrases, an illustration showed a child in a Korean school uniform and another in a red Chinese PE uniform looking at each other against a backdrop with a tank. A speech bubble from the Korean child’s side said “Korean War” against a backdrop of the Taegeukgi (Korean flag), while the Chinese child’s side said “Resist America, Aid Korea” against a backdrop of the Five-starred Red Flag (Chinese flag).
The term “Resist America, Aid Korea” is used by China to justify its entry into the Korean War, asserting it was to aid Korea (North) against American aggression. China uses this propaganda term to claim its participation was a just cause against “American imperialism.” Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized that “Resist America, Aid Korea” was a righteous war, while strengthening historical revisionism.
However, the Korean War was initiated by North Korea’s unlawful invasion under the guise of “national liberation.” The South Korean government emphasizes the illegal invasion by North Korea by using the term “June 25 War,” referencing the date of the invasion. Experts criticize the War Memorial’s mechanical contrast between South Korea and China’s historical perspectives, warning it could instill distorted historical views among students, giving the impression that China’s distorted historical perspective is an alternative view. Professor Kang Kyoo-hyung of Myongji University’s liberal arts department stated, “It could instill a distorted historical understanding in adolescents whose value systems are not fully established. The War Memorial Foundation, tasked with preserving South Korea’s identity and promoting security awareness, seems to have accepted China’s narrative revisionism.”
The controversial program was prepared by the War Memorial Foundation’s “W-Academy,” aiming to promote correct national perspective and security awareness. An employee of W-Academy submitted the program proposal early in May, which was approved by the deputy director on the 19th of that month. Another employee created the poster using “ChatGPT,” which was posted on the website on the 31st.
The foundation’s representative stated, “The intention behind designing the program was to accurately inform about the distorted claims made by China’s ‘Resist America, Aid Korea Memorial’ in Dandong. The promotional material did not align with our intention, and there were deficiencies in the inspection process,” expressing regret. Upon the media’s inquiry, the foundation promptly removed the program announcement and poster from the website.
As the controversy grew, the Ministry of Defense announced on the afternoon of the 9th that “an inappropriate controversy has arisen regarding the educational program, so the foundation, in consultation with the Ministry of Defense, has deleted the relevant post and suspended the program.” The Ministry noted that it was meant to clarify the historical fact that the Korean War began with North Korea’s unlawful southward invasion, but admitted a lack of thorough review during the process. Defense Minister An Kyu-baek instructed a meticulous investigation into the matter and stringent action should any violations be confirmed.