A Professional Opinion on the Sovereignty Dispute Over Dokdo On July 30, a week after its classification of the Dokdo area as “Undesignated Sovereignty”, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) returned the island to its original designation as South Korean territory. The BGN made this change at 6:00 p.m. (EST) on its database, GEOnet, retaining the official name of Dokdo, Liancourt Rocks, and reinstating the sovereignty of South Korea over the island. This was the direct result of orders from U.S. President George W. Bush. However, this may be a temporary state, only indicating that the diplomatic war between Korea and Japan has just begun. Regarding the sovereignty battle over Dokdo, we met with Professor Kim Dohyung, of the Yonsei History Department and Professor Kim Woo-jun of the Yonsei Institute of East and West Studies to hear their opinions. Professor Kim Dohyung recommended the booklet, “The History of Dokdo”, published by the Northeast Asian History Foundation. In addition, he showed us many old maps, emphasizing the importance of maps as historic evidence. “The pamphlets published by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs cite a map made in 1864 as evidence, but the map has been forged. Japanese maps of the 13th century, such as the ‘Greater Map of Japan,’ ‘Map of Greater Japan,’ ‘Overview of Greater Japan,’ show that Dokdo and Ullungdo belong to Korea. The revised ‘Complete Map of Japan’s Districts and Roads,’ of 1779 shows Ullungdo and Dokdo outside the Japanese boundaries. The two islands and mainland Korea are not presented in color, as opposed to the mainland of Japan, which is clear evidence that Japan identified Dokdo as Korean land.” Japanese Maps Show Dokdo Belongs to Korea Evidence that Dokdo was identified as Korean land before Japan began claiming the island as “Dakeshima” can be found in many places. Dokdo and Ullungdo had been an independent nation called Usanguk but was conquered by the Shilla Dynasty in 512 A.D. Since then, the two islands have been part of Korea, and were considered a part of Uljin-hyun in Gangwon-do throughout the Joseon Dynasty. This information can be verified in many historical records, including the “Sejong Sillok Jiriji,” “Dongguk yeojiseungnam,” “Seongjong Sillok,” and “Sukjong Sillok.” In 1416, when Japanese invasions became a severe problem, Joseon government decided to depopulate the islands but continued to exercise sovereignty over the land. When Japanese fishermen started to live on Ullungdo, thinking it was a deserted island, Joseon fisherman Ahn Yong-bok ran the foreigners off the island and went to Japan to protest, resulting in the Japanese government’s acknowledgement of Korean sovereignty when they banned their fishermen from sailing in the area. Most of Japan’s Evidence Comes from Military Occupation Japan cites two main pieces of evidence to support their claim that Dokdo is Japanese land. The first is that the Japanese discovered Dokdo in the 17th century while managing Ullungdo. Actually, the Japanese unlawfully invaded the island while the Korean government was enacting a depopulation policy. In 1870, the delegation of Sada Hakubo secretly explored the area and left records titled ‘Classified Memorandum of the Process of Diplomatic Transaction with Joseon”, in which he says that Dokdo is a subsidiary island of Ullungdo and that there are no records pertaining to Dokdo. In 1877, the Meiji Government affirms that Dokdo and Ullungdo belong to Korea. An official document dated October 16, 1877, clearly states that the Ullungdo and Dokdo issue was resolved in 1696 when the islands were identified as belonging to Joseon and not related in any way to Japan. In 1904, when a fisherman named Nakai Yosaburo filed a claim that Dokdo belonged to Japan, the Japanese Home Ministry verified that Dokdo was Korean land. The second piece of evidence being used by Japan is the measures taken during the Japanese military occupation of Korea after the 1904 Russo-Japanese Wars. The measures included incorporating Dokdo into the Japanese province of Shinema-hyun, having Japanese officials visit Dokdo, giving Nakai Yoshiburo permission to hunt for sea lions and collecting taxes from him, revising fishing regulations to forbid activities other than sea lion hunting in the Dokdo area. All of these measures were taken during the military occupation after the Russo-Japanese War. The Name “Dokdo” First Used Officially in 1906 Professor Kim Woo-jun explains why the claims of the Japanese are invalid. “As part of the Cairo Declaration in 1943, it was decreed that Japan must return all territories unlawfully appropriated during its imperialist rule of other nations.” According to Professor Kim, the name “Dokdo” itself is proof that the island belongs to Korea. Many of the residents of Dokdo were from the Honam area. Dokdo was originally called Seokdo (i.e. “Rock Isand”), but in the Honam dialect, the word “dok” is often used to mean “rock”. The name “Dokdo” was first officialized in 1906. Part of the reason why disputes regarding Dokdo are continuing has to do with the U.S.’s ambiguous actions after the war. Japan is using the “Treaty of Peace with Japan” agreed on between the U.S. and Japan as proof that Dokdo is Japanese land. In the agreement, it is stated that Japan foregoes any rights to Korea, including Jejudo, Geomundo, and Ullungdo. Because Dokdo is not mentioned, Japan insists that the island still belongs to them. However, this claim is faulty. On January 18, 1952, 100 days before the “Treaty of Peace with Japan”, Korean President Syngman Rhee announced sovereignty of the oceans within a line 50-100 miles from the mainland coast to answer to the call to protect the welfare and security of the nation. Professor Kim Woo-jun emphasized the importance of meticulous refutation. “Internationally, Dokdo is often marked as disputed territory, or as Dokdo/Dakeshima. Considering the power and influence Japan wields in the world, we must not leave a single disadvantageous fact undisputed.” Professor Kim Dohyung gave advice on future strategies. “With the government’s coordination, the people of Korea and our experts must work together for a comprehensive solution to the Dokdo issue. Activities of NGOs such as VANK (Voluntary Agency Network of Korea) must be supported actively. Korea’s voice must be heard in the world.” There are Koreans who are registered as residents of Dokdo, and the Dokdo Guards are stationed on the island. Dokdo is indeed a part of Korea where Koreans actually live. The Korean government is being called on to produce effective solutions to show the world that Dokdo is truly ours.