Newsletter

The Northeast Asian History Foundation's Dokdo Research Institute has reached its tenth anniversary. The Institute was formed to systematically, objectively deal with Japanese provocations regarding the sovereignty of Dokdo. Yet, the Institute's mission is not limited to examining the past. The Institute has also been charged with systematizing investigations and studies on Dokdo and assembling discussions about the island each generation had from past to present. The list of the Institute's tasks involve actively communicating with civic organizations, correcting misunderstandings about Dokdo, and engaging in cooperation to teach and publicize Dokdo related issues in Korea and abroad. These indicate that the Korean people and Dokdo are at the core of an institute that serves as platform for research efforts ranging from history to international law, all aimed at instilling accurate perceptions about the dominium of Dokdo.

All tasks are bound to bear fruit from studying and preparing long enough. For instance, there is the ten year rule suggested by Anders Ericsson of the University of Stockholm, which led to Malcolm Gladwell's suggestion of the 10,000 hour rule. The two rules carry significant implications for approaching all things in life with passion and practice. It emphasizes that constant effort reciprocates. What's great about the Institute's achievement is that it settled its system down and produced research outcomes faster than expected over the past ten years.

By its tenth anniversary, the Institute has become inseparable with Dokdo in people's minds as a venue that facilitates academic discussions and the expression of dissatisfactions about all Dokdo-related issues.

Nevertheless, the Dokdo Research Institute's role has just begun. The Institute had a firm goal to pursue from the outset. The passing of time alone won't guarantee stable progress toward its goal. And new challenges are about to begin. As someone who studies Dokdo and maritime policies, I hope the Institute will not remain content with simply demonstrating the ten-year rule. The Institute has enough legitimacy, potential, and passion as a platform for Dokdo research. Now it needs to amplify that platform with all the research experience its members have amassed and create a tradition out of such experience.

The Dokdo Research Institute's ten years have been steady and successful. As a citizen of the Republic of Korea and a researcher who admires Dokdo, I sincerely congratulate and cheer for the Institute's ongoing journey.