뉴스레터

In 1953, a voluntary group of 33 Korean civilians set out to defend two rocky islets in the East Sea, known as Dokdo. These men would become the first year-round inhabitants of Dokdo and would remain there for three-and-a-half years until a permanent Korean coast guard took responsibility for defending the islets in 1956.

Dokdo, visible from the Korean island of Ulleungdo in clear weather and located only 87.4 kilometers from Ulleungdo, is of critical historical significance and serves as a reminder of a troubled past between Korea and Japan. Recognizing the power of the action these men took is the first step toward recognizing the symbolic and cultural value of Dokdo for Korea. Following years of invasion, colonization, and war, Korean civilians united to once again defend themselves against a foreign power that threatened the unjust appropriation of Korean territory. This struggle to defend Dokdo is still continuing today.

The ongoing Dokdo/Takeshima dispute between Korea and Japan is not merely a territorial dispute, but rather it is a deeply rooted historical dispute with grave ethical implications, and one that should not be disregarded by the international community. A brief overview of the history of this conflict and the historical evidence available to substantiate Korea's claim of sovereignty over Dokdo will be presented.

Available historical records indicate that Dokdo was first incorporated into the Korean Shilla Kingdom in 512 A.D. Korea's historic claim over Dokdo is also verified in the following Korean government documents: Samguk Sagi (512 A.D.), Sejong Sillok Jiriji (1454), and Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam (1531).

Furthermore, scholars have cited numerous maps as evidence, including a map produced by the Japanese cartographer Dabuchi Tomohiko. Japan's earliest record of the islets did not emerge until 1667. Surprisingly, this Japanese government document, Onshu Shicko Goki, according to the historical scholar, Shin Yong-ha, also describes Dokdo and Ulleungdo as Korean territory and Oki Island as Japan's westernmost territorial boundary.

Despite this evidence, Japan insists on distorted readings of historical texts and has built its primary claims to Dokdo based on the annexation treaties of 1905 through 1910. In order to fully understand the dispute over Dokdo, it is necessary to examine the historical events that lead to this conflict.

While Japan was engaged in the Russo-Japanese War, it recognized the strategic military and economic advantage of the waters surrounding Dokdo, and took this opportunity to unjustly appropriate the islets in 1905. The Japanese government claimed that Dokdo was terra nullius, or territory that did not belong to any state.

Yet, the Japanese government never made any inquiries to find out if these islets were actually a part of Korean territory and ignored all evidence claiming that they were. Following the appropriation of Dokdo, Japan proceeded to annex the entire Korean peninsula and other Korean islands including Ulleungdo.

In 1905, Japan forced the signing of the Korea-Japan Protocol Agreement, which allowed Japan to occupy or expropriate areas in Korea that it deemed a military advantage. This was only the beginning of a series of forced treaties that Japan used to further weaken and divest the Korean government of power. The final treaty was concluded in August 1910, the Treaty of Annexation, which resulted in Japan's complete colonization of the Korean peninsula and all its territory.

After World War II, under the Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Proclamation, Japan had to return the territory that it had unjustly seized in East Asia. The Cairo Treaty clearly states, ``Japan shall be stripped of all islands in the Pacific which she has seized or occupied… Japan will also be expelled from all other territories which she has taken by violence and greed." The Allied Powers further invalidated Japan's claim to Dokdo by excluding the islets from Japanese administrative authority; however, the decision on Dokdo was not final, allowing Japan to reopen the issue in 1951 and 1954.

When the threat of losing Dokdo once again emerged, Korea took positive steps toward reaffirming sovereignty over Dokdo. Scholars argue that ``South Korea has an enormous advantage over Japan because it has de facto possession of the islands and has undertaken a variety of infrastructure projects and improvements… international judicial bodies highlight establishing sovereignty through positive acts, especially when occupying a territory."

Following Japanese colonization, Korea set up the first-ever year-round human habitation of the island, secured the area with a permanent Korean coast guard, and also developed the area on and around Dokdo. These are positive actions undertaken by the Korean government to solidify Korea's sovereignty and defend Korea's historical claim to Dokdo.

While this brief overview cannot do full justice to the issue at hand, it will hopefully help illuminate some of the strongest evidence available to substantiate Korea's claim to Dokdo. Korea and Japan share important cross-cultural links and economic ties, but the relationship between these two nations cannot move forward if the wounds of the past are not properly healed.

Dokdo stands in the way of fully normalizing the relationship between these two nations, and must be recognized as Korean territory by Japan for the future peace and reconciliation of both nations.