By Lee Kyung-min



Some school textbooks were found to have discriminatory descriptions against particular races, countries, and religions, according to a study released by the National Human Rights Commission Monday.



The commission's research team led by Prof. Seol Kyu-ju of Gyeongin National University of Education found 32 biased depictions after analyzing a total of 90 textbooks used in elementary, middle and high school textbooks.



In one social studies book for third graders in elementary school, all citizens from developed countries were depicted as white Caucasian, while those from developing countries as black.



In one section of the book introducing various greetings in foreign languages, all other nationals wore modern clothing, but those from Kenya were depicted wearing clothes only covering the lower part of the body while holding a spear and a shield.



One ethics studies book for middle school students states that a funeral culture in Tibet is "barbaric" as it includes leaving the bodies out in the open for days for birds to eat.



Another social and cultural studies textbook for high school students wrote that underage girls in Africa are victims of forced early marriage, required to carry out household chores, deprived of education.



In another book, Islamic countries were depicted as places where hundreds of women were victims of honor killings for disgracing their family members, tribe, or community.



Another book described multi-cultural families as "a group comprised of members that are increasingly becoming hostile to one another due to their inability to communicate among themselves. The weakened bond between them and their children born here are also a serious problem in integrating them into Korean society."



The study author said they fear that such biased content will induce young students to draw unfair generalizations about a particular group of people, and thus should be corrected as soon as possible.



