Newsletter

Japan announced the screening results of middle school textbooks on March 30. Description of sovereignty over Dokdo has significantly increased, and it contributes to escalating tensions between the two countries, straining Korea-Japan relations. In this regard, Korea made a strong complaint against it and called on Japan to make immediate corrective action. We met Lee Hoon, Director of the Dokdo Research Institute, and discussed practical measures to address this issue. _ Editor's note

With the textbook screening completed, I think the Dokdo Research Institute needs to play a greater role in resolving this issue. How serious is the problem?

There are two things I want to point out regarding the screening results of middle school textbooks in Japan. First, references of Dokdo have increased. Among the 18 textbooks that passed the screening, 4 geography textbooks, 7 social studies textbooks and 3 history textbooks described or marked Dokdo as Japanese territory. It is the first time that history textbooks for middle school students included territorial disputes over Dokdo, in addition to geography and social studies textbooks. Moreover, the history textbooks referred to the Dokdo issue as "unresolved territorial dispute", which reflects Japan's stronger claim.

Second, the textbooks included Japanese government's unreasonable sovereignty claims over "Takeshima" that "Japanese territory is illegally occupied by Korea". What is worrisome is that this time, not only right-wing publishers including Fusosha but also other publishers submitted textbooks which include such unjust claims by Japanese government. The supporting evidences presented in these textbooks reflect Japanese government's official views in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) web site, rather than including academic research findings. It is a serious problem that textbooks refer to Japanese government's unilateral claims instead of academic achievements. In fact, many historical documents prove that claims made in the MOFA web site are unreasonable. Even Japanese scholars point out the problems regarding them.

Moreover, the screening results for high school textbooks will be announced in March, 2012, and they will be influenced by the recent screening results for middle school textbooks. Accordingly, it is expected that descriptions of Dokdo will increase in high school textbooks. These textbooks might trigger territorial nationalism among young students. It is worrisome that they will grow hostile attitude toward neighboring countries, and economic and cultural exchanges in East Asia could be undermined.

What are Korean government's and the Institute's plans to address this issue?

For public middle schools in Japan, each region's education committee decides which textbook to adopt. We need to enhance the awareness of this issue through exchanges between the two countries' regional governments, especially in regions where it is highly likely to adopt right-wing textbooks. In addition, exchanges between the two countries' authors, publishers, and editors are needed to improve mutual understanding in the preparatory stage prior to the screening. From a long-term perspective, it is important to develop supplementary teaching material so that teachers in Japan can educate students in the right direction despite incorrect descriptions of Dokdo in textbooks. Also, we need to further strengthen Dokdo-related education.

Many foreigners view that Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade web site focuses on claims rather than providing objective documents and information. Are there any research projects the Institute is carrying out to enhance the objectivity?

Regarding Korea's research on Dokdo, some people had concerns that it is highly dependent on documents on Korea's side, and the understanding of documents on Japan's side is inaccurate. Japan's research and explanation sound plausible, but there are a lot of gaps in Japan's research and logic. To refute Japan's incorrect claims, we need to analyze Japan's documents more closely. Fortunately, the Foundation's Dokdo Research Institute is the only institution with a number of experts who are capable of deciphering ancient literature and historical records from medieval/early modern to modern period in Japanese history. Based on such expertise, the Institute is making continued efforts to present persuasive logic and accurate evidence, by translating Japan's ancient literature on Dokdo and identifying new historical documents. Basic research is underway, and research outcomes will be announced and reflected from next year. The Institute has already published a number of source books, though they are shared only internally.

Regarding the Dokdo issue, some people say that the international community, the U.S. in particular, is leaning toward Japan. What is your view on this?

I think there is some misunderstanding. All countries maintain a neutral position regarding disputes over other countries' territory, and the U.S. is no exception. In this regard, we should persuade the international community with logical argument and supporting evidence, and it is directly related to the Institute's current research project.

It has been three years since the Dokdo Research Institute was established. What are the Institute's achievements so far?

The Institute's activities are divided into two areas: research and PR/education. First of all, the Institute is carrying out a long-term project for extensive basic research on historical documents and records. We have collected a lot of documents and information, including the Korean government's records in the Korean Empire period, Japan's documents from the 17th century to 1960s, Russia's and U.S.' Dokdo-related documents, and ancient maps. Based on these records, we will endeavor to produce research outcomes Japanese scholars can acknowledge. Later this year, you will be able to see our achievements regarding research on Dokdo-related issues around the time of the 1965 Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and Korea.

Also, the Institute is carrying out various PR and education activities including online Dokdo education program for teachers, Society for Dokdo Guards in schools, Dokdo Academy, Dokdo education system and teaching material etc. These activities were recognized by the government, and the Institute serves as a secretariat for the Dokdo Publicity Committee where a number of relevant ministries participate. The Institute is also playing a leading role in making various standards and guidelines regarding Dokdo.

What do you think was the biggest challenge or hardship the Institute encountered while carrying out these activities and programs?

The most important task for us is to accumulate research outcomes, and we also need to make a lot of teaching material in order to enhance the public awareness and educate students in the right direction. Some people do not seem to understand that these research projects and activities take considerable time, and they make a pressing demand that the Institute produce remarkable research outcomes in a short period of time. I hope they understand that it takes continued efforts and long-term strategy to decipher historical documents and analyze them.

What are the key projects the Institute plans to pursue in the future?

I think we need to strengthen our research capabilities in order to accumulate research achievements and develop persuasive logic for the Dokdo-related issues. In this regard, the Institute plans to publish a periodical – <Territory and Oceans>, and the first issue will come out at the end of June. We will solicit articles from outside researchers as well as senior researchers at the Institute, and the journal will serve as a platform for research presentation on Dokdo-related issues. In addition, we will pursue joint global research projects and publish books in English so as to enhance the understanding of Korea's position on Dokdo-related issues in the international community.

The Institute will also endeavor to develop teaching material for elementary/middle/high schools in accordance with the government's policies to strengthen Dokdo education. Disputes over Senkaku Islands (Diaoyudao) and South Kuril Islands (Northern Territories) are emerging as hot topics in East Asia, and we plan to conduct joint research with scholars from China, Taiwan and Japan on the implications of territorial disputes in East Asia on the issue of Dokdo.

We are living in an era of social networking, and I would like to know if the Institute will take advantage of SNS in raising the awareness of Dokdo in the international community.

With the announcement of the screening results in March, more and more Internet users seem to recognize the need for Dokdo education. Twitterians say that Dokdo education is needed for not only students but also for adults. Taking this into account, the Institute released applications and created multi-language web site for mobile devices in order to improve access to Dokdo-related information. We will continue to explore ways to provide easy-to-understand information about Dokdo through social networking services such as blog, Facebook etc.

What is the role NGOs and the public should play with regard to research on Dokdo and solidifying the sovereignty over Dokdo?

Continued interest in and support for the Institute's Dokdo-related activities are needed. Also, we should make concerted efforts to resolve this issue in an objective and realistic manner, instead of emotionally responding to it. Reckless advertisement or demand for corrective action could give the impression of Dokdo only as a disputed territory to those who know nothing about Dokdo, and we do not want this to happen. Instead, I hope more people could understand that sufficient time is required to produce meaningful research outcomes.