Large threatened investments, publishers warn of school layoffs and confusion
South Korean National Assembly on Monday stripped its digital textbooks as official educational materials for legal status equipped with artificial intelligence, taking a major blow to the previous Yoon Suk Yeol Administration’s flagship education reform project.
This amendment narrows down the legal definition of textbooks to printed and e-books, except for “learning support software using intelligent information technology.” This reclassifies AI-powered textbooks as simply another type of educational material, rather than as official textbooks.
The new classification will take effect immediately upon publication and effectively remove the legal and financial foundations for using AI digital textbooks in schools.
The amendment, unilaterally drafted and passed by South Korea’s dominant Democrats, is an updated version of the same law passed by Congress last year, and was eventually scrapped after being rejected by then-representative president of the country, Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok.
First launched as the flagship initiative of the Yun administration, the AI textbook aims to provide students with a personalized learning experience using advanced AI algorithms. Last year alone, at least 533.3 billion won ($385 million) was allocated to the project.
The textbook was piloted in the first semester of 2025 for English and Math classes for elementary school third and fourth graders, as well as for middle and high school English, math and computer science classes.
Despite the ambitious developments, the initiative faced widespread backlash from educators and parents. Many criticized the government for promoting policies without a sufficient foundation.
In response, the Ministry of Education first planned a national mandate before moving on to a school-by-school voluntary adoption model. Currently, the adoption rate of AI textbooks between schools is covered by around 30%.
Passing the bill now leaves these schools without financial support for AI textbook subscriptions. A high school computer science teacher told the Korean Herald that although some schools had subscription budgets for the second semester, future use was uncertain. “Unless the textbook holds legal status, you won’t receive the necessary funds. It’s almost impossible to use them in your class,” the teacher said.
The publishing industry is also facing an upcoming crisis. Companies that have invested heavily in AI textbook development in hopes that the government will require it to be used say they are on the verge of collapse. Several companies filed a management lawsuit against the Ministry of Education in April, citing losses from low adoption rates and policy flip-flops.
Industry representatives warn that without legal textbook designations, utilization could drop even further, putting an estimated 800 billion victory at risk with a total investment in AI textbooks. Currently, layoffs and restructurings are expected across the sector.
A worker in her 30s at a major textbook publisher said her department might disappear soon. “Many companies have hired researchers and engineers to develop AI textbooks. As education policies are now changing according to those who hold political power, there is a risk of losing jobs as well as decreasing the quality of education,” she said.
Publishers have made a final ditch push to reverse public sentiment and policy. 14 publishers have been in solo protests outside the legislature, while other companies have visited Democratic headquarters and demanded that the bill be reconsidered.
The Ministry of Education has not yet presented a specific roadmap for involving the AI textbook program. A spokesperson said the ministry will pause the current textbook review process, prepare guidance for schools to prevent disruption in the fall semester, and consult with the local education department to minimize disruption.
jychoi@heraldcorp.com
