남북한 교육통합의 과제 – 북한이탈주민 학력인정 제도의 현황과 개선 방안

Abstract

Currently, there are considerable differences in school systems between South and North Korea. Not only is the school system different, but also the subjects and course hours prescribed in the curriculum are different. For instance, North Korea has a liberal arts course on ‘political thoughts’ in the curriculum for teaching the revolutionary ideas of Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un. The education level of students who have graduated from each school in South and North Korea vary due to the differences in compulsory education period, school age and teaching methods, etc. If and when the two Koreas are united, recognition of academic background made in the North Korea will become a controversial issue. In fact, recognition of academic background and qualifications from East Germany was one of the most pressing issues facing the German unification. Germany dealt with this issue at the level of the federal government through the ‘Joint Commission on Education’ and the ‘Unification Treaty’. We can prepare and get ready for recognition of academic background for North Korea starting from now. Currently, the academic background of residents escaping from North Korea at elementary and secondary school levels are recognized through deliberation by Academic Background Deliberative Committee at each metropolitan/provincial Office of Education. However, it has been pointed out that the criteria for and result of recognition of academic background vary by each metropolitan/provincial Office of Education. This is related to the fundamental issue of distribution of educational authority between the state and local governments. In seems desirable that the principal deliberation criteria for academic background recognition of residents escaping from North Korea shall be prescribed by the state, while the actual recognition of academic background for residents escaping from North Korea are determined by each metropolitan/provincial Office of Education within the purview of such deliberation criteria in accordance with the principle of justice and equity.