We were surprised by the creationists' victory in persuading the South Korean government to reduce the already scanty teaching of evolution in the country's schools and universities (Nature 486, 14; 2012).

Every year we interact with aspiring graduate students in ecology, evolution and behaviour who have never taken courses in these subjects. Many professionals in South Korea are unfamiliar with the theory of evolution.

In response to objections by researchers, the government decided in June to include a board of scientists in a review of their proposed changes to textbooks.

We hope that raising public awareness of this issue will help scientists and educators in South Korea to fight for the teaching of evolutionary theory in more comprehensive science curricula at schools and universities.