Educational institution permanently closes, yet plans for redevelopment continue to be obstructed.
Loose Lids and Closed Pages: Korean Schools Swap Gateways for Yearbook Pages
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A worn, battered gate greets visitors at Gosan Elementary School in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi [JOONGANG ILBO]
A caution sign decked out near Gosan Elementary School in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi [JOONGANG ILBO]
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Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by our staff for a breezy read.* Navigation* Accessibility Features, off* Chapters, hidden* Captions, off by default* Audio, off by default
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The digital age has instigated a shift in priorities for Korean schools, with yearbooks slowly sliding off their to-do lists. This change stems from escalating fears surrounding the misuse of student and staff photographs, primarily due to the emerging threats of digital manipulation, particularly deepfakes.
As deepfakes stormed the stage in South Korea's universities, they generated a tsunami of explicit images—often featuring female students and academics—on channels such as Telegram. This spectacle of digital deception cast a grim shadow over students and educators, triggering waves of fear and apprehension, pushing schools towards foregoing yearbooks for extra security [1][3][4].
Besides, the challenges faced by universities in mitigating these digital crimes set a strong precedent for schools to steer clear of potential risks. By nixing yearbooks, schools aim to hamper the manipulation and inappropriate distribution of photos [3][4].
Navigating the labyrinth of the digital era, it seems that Korean schools are playing it safe, one gate and yearbook page at a time.
- Despite the shift, the Korean government and education-and-self-development authorities should prioritize finding solutions to ensure student and staff photographs are protected without compromising traditional practices like yearbooks.
- An unexpected consequence of this revision could be a potential impact on the books sector, as students might reduce their purchases of general-news and arts-related books which often include yearbook-style content.
- With the decline in yearbooks, there might be growing emphasis on other areas, such as culture, business, and sports, where Korean schools can showcase achievements and foster a sense of community among stakeholders.
- As demographic shifts continue across South Korea, empty schools pose an environmental problem that government and local authorities should address in partnership with real estate and environmental agencies to prevent urban decay and promote sustainable urban planning [2].
- In the broader context, this transformation in Korean schools could serve as a symbol for the nation's wider endeavor to adapt to the digital age, presenting opportunities for innovation and growth in various aspects—from business to education, culture, and general-news sectors.
