Prologue

Abstract

The institutional system of the current education was officially launched simultaneously with the establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1948. What we take interest in and write about here is “national education in the Republic of Korea”. The following three perspectives have been determined in writing the history of national education that has developed over the past 70 years. First, what are the major challenges and conflicts Korean education went through, and what are its accomplishments and remaining tasks? Second, what are the results of the emphasis on the social function of national education? Third, how did we respond to the problems of ideological conflict and practical hindrance? We will divide the 70 years after the Liberation into three periods to examine the history of ROK’s education: the “state formation period” from 1945 to 1960, the “period of industrialization” from the May 16 coup in 1961–1994, and after the “May 31 Education Reform(1995)” also referred to as the “period of informatization”. The 70 years of education after the Liberation will be dealt with in four main areas: general education system, primary and secondary education, higher education, and lifelong education. Education onsite had to defer the realization of its natural significance and values had to be deferred many times in the progress of Korean history, and this is the part where systematic review and introspection are required.