One hundred and fifty-four foreign scholars of Korean Studies released a statement opposing the state designated history textbooks promoted by the Park Geun-hye government. The scholars argued that the history textbook in a democratic nation should respect different views and be based on research by professional historians and on free discussions. International authorities including Bruce Cumings, Donald Baker, and Remco Breuker signed the statement. Thus the government and the ruling party find themselves with little excuse in pushing ahead with the state designated textbook by fueling an outrageous debate on ideology, condemning 90% of the historians in South Korea as being leftist. According to the logic of the government and the ruling party, international scholars who signed the latest statement should all be labeled as "leftist."

International scholars who have engaged in Korean studies argued that the state designated textbooks would have an adverse effect on South Korea's international reputation as a democratic country. In other words, it is an international disgrace telling the whole world that democracy has retreated in South Korea. They also accurately pointed out that the state designated textbook would weaken the moral foundation of South Korea in its dispute on history with the Japanese government.

Descendants of independence activists hold a press conference under the title, "Funeral of the History of the Anti-Japanese Movement" in relation to the government's initiative to adopt a single history textbook, before the Yi Sun-sin statue in Gwanghwamun, Seoul on the afternoon of October 25. Kim Jeong-geun

The scholars expressed their concern on the government and ruling party's perception that denounced the values and conscience of the academic field of history and historians. History is not a science that requires a detailed and precise answer. The historians claim that it is a field based on the various insights of the historians, and this is common sense. Donald Baker, a professor at Canada's University of British Columbia said, "A historian does not believe in one history. For historians are aware that history always has been and always will be chaotic." William North, a professor at Carleton College in the States stressed, "Various views on history do not display weakness, but strength. They are the source of pride."

Listening to the opinions of these foreign scholars, we can realize that there is no feasible excuse for the state designated textbook even based on the criteria of the international community. Only the pro-Park group, the New Right, and groups of non-specialists argue for state designated textbooks. President Park Geun-hye is clinging on to the so-called "feeling theory," claiming that she feels "embarrassed to be born in the Republic of Korea when she reads the history textbook." Even the conservative Han Young-woo, professor emeritus of Seoul National University pointed out, "The government appears to have joined hands with extreme conservatives and not moderate conservatives." At this point, we can say that the logical battle on state designated textbooks has already ended. President Park Geun-hye must break away from the delusion that she can rewind the clock of history. Now is not too late. As the foreign scholars mentioned, many people from "outside Korea" are watching the debate on the state designated textbooks.