The formation of the South Korean identity through national curriculum in the South Korean historical context: Conflicts and challenges

This study explores how the South Korean identity has been formed and transformed by examining the Korean national curriculum in its historical context. The study first examines how the Korean identity, previously formed by traditional ethnic values, has been transformed during the period of national modernization. It then describes the efforts to form a Korean identity through national curriculum reform amid globalization, a phenomenon that has rapidly progressed in Korea since the 1990s. It also discusses the conflicts within and challenges to Korean identity in the Korean curriculum reform process.

► We explore the formation of identity through the national curriculum in South Korea.
► We reveal the conflicts and challenges concerning South Korean's identity formation.
► South Korean identity is defined through struggles between ethnic powers and global powers.
► Ethnic-based identity still defines certain aspects of the newly formed identity.
► The newly formed identity cannot completely obviate past narratives.