The Journal of The Korean Association of Geographic and Environmental Education ISSN:1226-511X(Print) 2586-5641(Online) 한국지리환경교육학회지

The purpose of this study is to analyze how the images of metropolitan areas and non-metropolitan areas are stereotyped in the textbook of 「Korean Geography」 according to the 2015 revised curriculum. The results of the study are as follows. First, out of the 160 cities and counties in Korea, 112 cities and counties were covered as case study regions, while 48 cities and counties were not covered at all. Seoul, Jeju, Busan, Gangneung, Pyeongchang, Incheon, Daegu, and Ulleungdo were covered more than 10 times, with Seoul being the most frequent(46 times). Second, the topics explored were most often about the natural environment, followed by urban life, industrial development, and cultural resources. Among the normative elements, efforts to build sustainable communities were often presented. Third, the image of the metropolitan area was portrayed as the center of Korea, with a strong urban landscape and cultural influence. The images of large cities in the non-metropolitan areas, such as Busan and Daegu, were portrayed as serving as regional hubs and combining natural environments and urban landscapes. The images of small and medium-sized cities and counties in the non-metropolitan areas were presented as places with unique natural environments and developed farming, fishing, and livestock industries, unlike the metropolitan areas and large cities.