Middle school's inclusion of Lee Jae-myung autobiography sparks parental protest, review promised

A middle school in Seoul has ignited controversy by including the autobiography of former President Lee Jae-myung and a book by a Democratic Party politician in its recommended summer reading list for students. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from parents who argue the list exhibits political bias.

The issue came to light when a post on a popular parenting online forum, 'WithBebe,' with over 10,000 members, urged others to file complaints. The original poster stated they had directly contacted the school and filed a complaint, expressing concern about the school's environment and the teacher responsible for the list, described as a woman in her 40s.

The recommended list, intended for various subjects including ethics, Korean language, mathematics, and social studies, featured titles such as '1020 Extreme Right Comes' and 'My Factory Boy Diary.' The former, authored by Democratic Party Policy Committee Deputy Chairman Jung Min-cheol, explores the reasons behind the radicalization of young people. 'My Factory Boy Diary' is reportedly an autobiography detailing President Lee's experiences from his time as a young factory worker through his legal career.

Following the parents' protests and the ensuing public outcry, the school announced it would review the controversial reading list. The incident highlights ongoing debates surrounding the inclusion of political content in educational materials and the role of schools in shaping students' perspectives.

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I have directly called the school's academic office and filed a complaint. This school is scary.