On August 5, 2025, the South Korean Ministry of Education announced the cancellation of its previously ambitious AI textbook programme, which had originally launched in 2023 with 300 billion won (approximately $230 million) in government funding. The programme, which was part of President Yoon Suk Yeol's K-Digital initiative, initially aimed to implement AI-based textbooks and educational materials in all primary and secondary schools across the country by 2025. The decision comes in response to criticism from teachers, parents, and educational experts who argued that the programme was implemented too quickly without adequate testing and teacher preparation, while concerns were also raised about increased screen time for students and the marginalisation of traditional learning methods.
When the South Korean AI textbook programme launched in 2023, it planned for the complete digital transition of 15,000 schools by 2025, and initiated a pilot programme with 54 schools participating in the initial phase to test various AI-based educational platforms and digital learning materials. However, according to a survey conducted by the Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI) in June 2024, 72% of teachers involved in the programme were dissatisfied with the quality and usability of AI textbooks, and 68% reported that they had not received adequate training to effectively apply the technology. Additionally, a report published by the Ministry of Education in February 2025 indicated that initial results did not validate the programme's effectiveness, showing no significant improvement in academic performance among students using AI tools compared to those learning with traditional educational methods.
With the programme's cancellation, the South Korean government is significantly reducing the budget allocated for digital education, providing only 50 billion won (approximately $38 million) for the 2026 fiscal year instead of the previous 300 billion won. According to a statement from the Ministry of Education, the government will return to a more gradual and balanced approach, where AI technology will be introduced as a supplementary tool rather than a complete replacement for traditional education. The decision represents a significant blow to several major South Korean publishing companies, including Woongjin ThinkBig and YBM publishers, which had made substantial investments in developing digital content, and according to the Korea Publishers Association, more than 1,200 jobs in the sector have been put at risk due to the programme's sudden termination.
Sources:
Choi Jeong-yoon
Zeynep Gezen
