NAHF Newsletter

NAHF Newsletter 2025 June Issue
  • Date 2025.06.05
  • Hit 79

Northeast Asian History Foundation News

How China Remembers the Korean War as a Patriotic Campaign The Korean War was an opportunity for China. Framed as “the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea,” it allowed the Chinese Communist Party to purge dissidents and consolidate power in cities. Beyond the battlefield, in mainland China, reign of terror and regime strengthening were justified in the name of patriotism. The Korean War became a means for others to secure power. In international politics, the blood shed by some can become the gain of others.This is why it is important to maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula. (Photo: Crowds at the Memorial Hall of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea in Dandong)

Mount Paektu: A World Heritage Site Where Geological Time Meets National Memory In 2025, Mount Paektu was designated as UNESCO Global Geopark. With its evolution as a Cenozoic composite volcano, traces of a millennium-scale eruption, and international joint research, it is already a globally recognized geological heritage. Also, Mount Paektu is where Earth's time meets the Korean people’s epic, representing Korean identity and memory

Transnational Discussion on the Memory of the Japanese Military “Comfort Women” Northeast Asian History Foundation cohosted with SOAS an international conference on the politics of memory and international perspectives on Japanese military “comfort women.” Korean and European Scholars discussed a variety of topics, such as wartime sexual violence, colonialism, international women's rights, remembrance, and solidarity. Taking the perspective of victims and their memories, this event aimed to situate Asia's historical background within the universal narrative. Through transnational dialogue among scholars and audiences, it revisited the question of responsibility for resolving the comfort women issue and its possibility.

New Book: History Education with State-Led Compilation of University Textbooks in Xi Jinping Era Chinese government has nationalized even university-level history textbooks, strengthening narratives centered on the “Chinese national community” and patriotism. Key textbooks such as An Outline of Chinese History and Introduction to the Chinese National Community reinterpret world history from a China-centered perspective. This publication analyzes the content and intent behind these textbooks and warns of the implications of politicizing history. Understanding China’s approach to history education is essential for diplomacy and preparing for the future.

Defending Dokdo at the Frontlines of Japan’s Historical Distortion The National Museum of Territory and Sovereignty, located in Toyko, has reopened with an interactive space using CG videos and puzzle games to promote Japan’s claim over Dokdo. By omitting historical context and emphasizing selective narratives such as sea lion hunting, the exhibition implants distorted perceptions, especially among youth. Dokdo is not a fictional setting in a video — it is historically Korean territory that must be protected. (Photo: Inside the National Museum of Territory and Sovereignty)

60 Years of the Korea–Japan Treaty: Rethinking the Relationship The current issue of Northeast Asia History Focus covers Korea–Japan relations as a special feature with a wide range of topics—politics, diplomacy, security, economy, and public perception. Rather than asking “what to commemorate,” it asks “how to start again,” covering issues from forced labor and claims rights to local diplomacy and changing public opinion. We reflect on last 60 years to prepare for the next 60 years.

‘Records Day’ and the First Step toward a Cooperative System June 9th is “Records Day,” reaffirming the value of records and responsibility of public institutions for record management. Nine institutions under the Ministry of Education, including the NAHF, launched a council of record management to establish a cooperative system. Through joint preservation, capacity building, and regular collaboration, a foundation is being laid to enhance the reliability and usability of public records. Recording the past is also preparing for the future. (Photo: Inauguration Ceremony of the Council of Record Management)


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