There's absolutely no mystery. The answer is clearly stated in the Axe Dater.

Korean Squier production did not start until 1988! Period.

> "It was sold on the basis that it was a 1981/2 Squier built with American help/parts and pre-dates the Japanese start-up models in 1982."

That's absolute unadulterated bullshit, and I suggest you get your money back!

Sorry, I see this crap all the time, and it makes me pretty angry.