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Incorrectly printed Taegeukgi pattern in Visang Education middle school textbook / Instagram account of Sungshin Women's University Professor Seo Kyoung-duk

It has been revealed that the Taegeukgi pattern was incorrectly printed in a middle school textbook.

Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women's University urged a correction, stating that an instance of the Taegeukgi pattern being used incorrectly was found in a middle school Korean language textbook.

Professor Seo announced this on the 1st through his Instagram account, disclosing information received from a parent.

According to Professor Seo, the textbook in question is the Korean language textbook for the second semester of the second grade in middle school published by Visang Education, which is an authorized textbook under the 2022 revised national curriculum. The textbook was found to feature the Taegeuk pattern incorrectly reversed left to right.

Professor Seo explained that the Taegeuk pattern in the flag illustration inserted into the textbook was confirmed to have been drawn differently from the actual Taegeukgi.

In particular, the caption for the illustration also drew criticism. While the study guide explains the illustration as the "2002 Korea World Cup," it was pointed out that the official name of the tournament is the "2002 Korea-Japan World Cup."

Raising the issue, Professor Seo said, "It is truly unacceptable for such things to happen in the textbooks our children learn from."

He added, "While the publisher is at fault, this textbook is an 'authorized textbook' approved by the Ministry of Education, so the ministry must realize that it also bears heavy responsibility."

Previously, around National Liberation Day, Professor Seo repeatedly disclosed and demanded corrections for consecutive cases where the Taegeukgi pattern was used incorrectly both at home and abroad.

He stated, "For a long time, I have corrected many instances of 'flawed Taegeukgi' used incorrectly overseas," adding, "Now, I will also work to correct Taegeukgi designs used incorrectly domestically."

He also urged netizens to actively report cases of incorrectly used Taegeukgi from both domestic and overseas sources.

This is not the first case involving flawed Taegeukgi.

Last month, New Balance Korea halted sales of a Taegeuk pattern T-shirt after controversy arose over printing the Taegeuk pattern upside down. Goods with reversed colors on the Taegeuk pattern were also found to have been sold at well-known domestic traditional markets.

                                                                                                           Jeong A-reum