NORTHEAST ASIAN HISTORY FOUNDATION 05/2022
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Seok Joo-hee, Researcher, Dokdo Research Institute
The Northeast Asian History Foundation held a symposium titled 'New Direction in Dokdo Research Explored through Excavation Data' on Monday, February 28. The symposium was held in response to the so-called 'Takeshima Day' event held at Shimane Prefecture of Japan. Recently, Japan has reinforced its territorial claims to Dokdo Island by reopening the National Museum of Territory and Sovereignty and revising and announcing the Japanese Course of Study. At this symposium, researchers empirically analyzed the historical materials discovered in Japan, and the USA presented their findings.
The symposium began with a welcoming address by Lee Young-ho, president of the Northeast Asian History Foundation ("Foundation"), and a congratulatory message by Choe Jae-mok, director of the Yeungnam University Dokdo Institute. Part 1 was the topic presentation. The results of discovering and researching historical materials available in Japan and the USA were presented. With Kim Jae-han, professor at Hallym University, presiding over the presentation, Park Han-min and Kim Jong-geun, researchers of the foundation, presented ‘Ulleungdo and Dokdo in Overseas Records in the 1870s, and the Dajokan (Supreme Council of State) Directives’ and '「Haedong Jeondo (Map of Korea)」 in the Collection of the Smithsonian Institution, USA, and Dokdo Island.' Next, Song Hwi-Yeong and Park Ji-Yeong, professors at the Yeungnam University Dokdo Institute, presented 'Competition among Fishing Grounds around Ulleungdo and Dokdo Islands in the Late Period of Joseon Dynasty and Nissho Association' and 'Takeshima Fishing and Hunting Joint-stock Company Establishment Process and Incorporation of Dokdo Island,' respectively. Professor Bang Gwang-seok (Hongik University), Dr. Kim Hee-yeon (Korea University), Professor Kim Yoon-mi (Pukyoung National University), and Professor Choe Bo-yeong (Yongin University) joined the discussion. Part II was a comprehensive discussion presided by Jeong Yeong-mi, Director of Dokdo Research Institute, and Professor Lee Seong-hwan (Keimyung University), Professor Oh Sang-hak (Jeju National University), Professor Han Cheol-ho (Dongguk University), Researcher Yoo Ha-yeong (Foundation), and Researcher Hong Seong-geun (Foundation) participated in the discussion.
Nagasaki and Dajokan Directives / 「Haedong Jeondo」
Researcher Park Han-min focused on the Nagasaki area in the 1870s and reviewed official documents, letters, and newspaper articles left by related figures. Park discovered that the Dajokan (Supreme Council of State) Directive affected the Japanese government through a reply sent by the Minister of Home Affairs to the governor of Nagasaki Prefecture. Research Kim Jong-geun discovered the 「Haedong Jeondo (Map of Korea)」 in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution in the USA and presented the results of his research from a cartographical perspective, including the markings of Dokdo Island.
(This
was covered in detail in the Northeast Asian Focus column in the April issue of
Sea Lion Catching Industry, Competition between Fishermen, and Incorporation of Dokdo Island
Professor Song Hwi-yeong and Professor Park Ji-yeong paid attention to the competition among Japanese fishermen groups over Ulleungdo and Dokdo fishing grounds before and after Shimane Prefecture's incorporation of Dokdo Island. Professor Song Hwi-young investigated how the Nissho Association, a Japanese merchant's association, was established and how Yozaburo Nakai monopolized Dokdo's fishing grounds. She reviewed fishing and hunting related documents among 「A Document on Takeshima (竹島一件書類)」 available in Shimane Prefecture and 「Japanese Consul's Report to Korea (通商彙纂)」 of the Japanese Consulate in Busan at the time. Song said, “The Nissho Association was established to maintain the safety of Japanese people at Ulleungdo Island," and added, “The association's role was to resolve disputes among Japanese fishermen from Oki, Dozen, and Dogo Islands." Song reported that Japanese people staying on Ulleungdo Island were divided by place of origin, residence, gender, class, and occupation in the 234th edition (1902) of 「Japanese Consul's Report to Korea」 and people from the Sanin area of Japan accounted for the largest portion of visitors (70%) followed by those from Kyushu (14.6%), and others (15.4%). Song said, “In 1905, the catching and hunting of sea lions in Dokdo Island accelerated. The 'Takeshima Fishing and Hunting Joint-stock Company' was granted exclusive rights.”
Professor Park Ji-young paid attention to the person named Yozaburo Nakai and investigated how Shimane Prefecture incorporated Dokdo Island and established the 'Takeshima Fishing and Hunting Joint-stock Company' and analyzed 「Documents on Takeshima Loan and Sea Lion Industry (竹島貸下・海驢漁業書類)」. According to the documents, three people, including Nakai submitted a petition to Shimane Prefecture for permission to fish and hunt on Dokdo Island following the Cabinet decision to incorporate Dokdo Island into the territory of Japan in 1905. The governor of Oki Island recommended joint fishing. Three people, including Nakai, jointly submitted a petition for permission to fish and hunt around Dokdo Island and established the ‘Takeshima Fishing and Hunting Joint-stock Company.’ In conclusion, Professor Park Ji-young argued, "Shimane Prefecture issued the fishing license to the three people including Nakai, not the 'Takeshima Fishing and Hunting Joint-stock Company'" and "Shimane Prefecture inspected Dokdo and Ulleungdo Islands that they illegally incorporated in 1906." She also pointed out that Shimane Prefecture's purpose of inspecting the Dokdo and Ulleungdo Islands in 1906 considered colonization through Japanese immigration.
Discovery of Materials and Detailed Empirical Research
- Towards a 'New Direction' in Dokdo Research -
In the general discussion, Jeong Yeong-mi, Director of Dokdo Research Institute, highly appreciated the attempt to give a new take on the meaning of historical materials. Professor Lee Seong-hwan said, “In the past, the focus was mainly on people from the Sanin (山陰) region of Japan. It is quite interesting, and it is a good idea that she paid attention to Nagasaki," and added, "The point that the map that marked Dokdo Island as 'Jasando' gives credence to An Yong-bok's statement is meaningful.” Professor Oh Sang-hak said, “「Haedong Jeondo」 can be taken as a case of state-led information gathering.” The panelists commented that the presentations have discovered and meaningfully analyzed historical materials, including documents and maps from Korea, Japan, and western countries. Lee Young-ho, the president of the Foundation, said, "The materials discovered will help us clarify and study the situation at the time thoroughly," commenting on the discovery of materials and detailed empirical research.
Uncovering new historical facts or discovering data is arduous and requires a lot of patience. Interpreting meanings hidden behind the excavated data requires in-depth analysis and critical thinking. Although it lasted for only half a day, it was long enough to fully realize the hard work and time spent by the researchers. This symposium was a meaningful opportunity for both prominent and young researchers to explore the direction of Dokdo research together.
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