By Son Key-young
Staff Reporter

SEOUL Korea is closely monitoring the Japanese government’s recent move to authorize publication of a history textbook which contains controversial descriptions of, among others, Japan’s aggression against Asian countries and the mobilization of wartime sex slaves, a Foreign Affairs-Trade Ministry official said yesterday.

"So far, we’ve sought ways to solve the issue in a low-key manner, given that any official raising of the issue might strengthen the position of rightist forces in Japan,’’ the official said.

"However, we have decided to pay increased attention to the textbook, as the Japanese government is in the final stage of reviewing it,’’ he said.

Last year, a fraternity of rightist scholars authored a middle school textbook and submitted it to the Education Ministry for authorization.

However, the ministry ordered a considerable revision.

At present, the ministry and rightist scholars are reportedly exchanging views on the revised parts of the textbook. The Japanese government is set to wrap up the review by the end of next month.

The controversy over the history book is one of the diplomatic priorities between Korea and Japan this year, as it could touch off anti-Japanese sentiment here in spite of the Kim Dae-jung administration’s efforts to forge a future-oriented relationship with Japan.

skyquick@koreatimes.co.kr