뉴스레터

First and Second Passages to Japan and Friction over Ulleungdo

Starting in the early 15th century, Joseon carried out of policy of relocating Ulleungdo residents to the mainland. In the 17th century, Japanese fisherman frequented Ulleungdo to catch fish. Today, Japan claims that these fishermen received authorization for passage from the shogunate, but recent studies by Korean and Japanese scholars confirm that there never was any such authorization. In other words, the Japanese fishermen's presence in and around Dokdo and Ulleugdo amounted to nothing but illegal fishing activities.

An Yong-bok was originally from Dongnae, Busan. It is not known whether he was a commoner or a slave. He is commonly known as a fisherman, but there are no historical records clearly indicating his profession. What we do know is that he served in the Neungrogun [能櫓軍; naval forces] when he was young and that he may have learned Japanese at the Waegwan [Japanese settlement]. In the spring of 1693 (16th year of the reign of King Sukjong), An Yong-bok and 40 other men went to fish in the waters of Ulleungdo where they clashed with Japanese fishermen. An Yong-bok and Pak Oe-dun were captured and taken to Tottori (Hoki province, 伯耆州; a part of present-day Tottori Prefecture).

In Hoki province, An Yong-bok argued to the Tottori magistrate and the Tokugawa shogunate that Ulleungdo and Dokdo were Korean territory. He received a diplomatic paper from the shogunate confirming that Ulleungdo was in fact Korean territory. However, on his way back to Busan, the diplomatic paper was taken from him by the magistrate of Tsushima. In August, the Tsushima magistrate sent a special envoy to Dongnae and repatriated An Yong-bok to Joseon. He also sent a request to the Joseon government demanding that Joseon fishermen be prohibited from fishing in Ulleungdo.

Diplomatic standoff ensued. In the spring of 1969, An Yong-bok and around ten others spotted Japanese vessels in Ulleungdo and chased them to Hoki province. An Yok-bok called himself a government official overseeing matters pertaining Ulleungdo and Dokdo (鬱陵于山兩道監稅官). He revealed that the magistrate of Tsushima pocketed profits from government trade deals, exploiting and degrading Joseon-Japan relations. He also protested against Japan's intrusion into Ulleungdo and Dokdo, reiterating that the two islands belonged to Korea.

Upon his return to Joseon, An Yong-bok was arrested by the Joseon government for causing "diplomatic problems" without government authorization. He came close to being executed. However, thanks to the heartfelt entreaties of Prime Minister (Yeoneuijeong) Yu Sang-hun [柳尙運] and former prime minister, Nam Gu-man [南九萬], against the execution, Ahn Yong-bok was sent on exile. There are no historical accounts about his whereabouts and activities thereafter.

Why Ahn Yong-bok should be a Subject of Research

In January 1696, the Tokugawa shogunate issued an edict banning Japanese from going to Ulleungdo and notified the Joseon government on the matter in October of the same year. In January 1699, the dispute between Joseon and Japan over Ulleungdo came to an end.

An Yong-bok was but a powerless subject of the Joseon dynasty. We cannot even verify his year or birth or social class. Because historical records are him are sparse, it is difficult to determine the exact reason why he went all the way to Japan, went through much hardship to argue that Ulleungdo and Dokdo were Korean territory, and even obtained an official diplomatic paper of confirmation. As we strive to further solidify our sovereignty over Dokdo, we must remember that we are much indebted to An Yong-bok and his two passages to Japan. That is why An Yong-bok is a worthy subject matter for research.