[kssnj] truths and misconceptions about the territorial rights over dokdo

TRUTHS ABOUT THE TERRITORIAL RIGHTS OVER DOKDO

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Truths and Misconceptions about the Territorial Rights over Dokdo

Lydia Cho

Julie Chun

Eugene Kim

Doyle Yoon

Supervising Teacher: Kiseok Yoon

Korean School of Southern New Jersey

Cherry Hill, New Jersey


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Abstract

Which country does the territory of Dokdo belong to? Dokdo is administered by the Republic of Korea,

and Koreans currently living on the island. It is under Korean effective control. However, the Japanese

government recently claimed that Dokdo is their territory. Japan claims that (1) it has long recognized the

existence of Dokdo, (2) There is no evidence that Korea recognized the existence of Dokdo in the past,

(3) Republic of Korea is illegally occupying Dokdo, (4) Although Japan proposed to the Republic of

Korea to refer this dispute to the International Court of Justice (“ICJ”), the Republic of Korea rejects

doing so. This study examined historical documents in an attempt to explore the truths about territory of

Dokdo. It shows what the truths about Dokdo are. This paper concentrates on four major issues: Ancient

Documents prove recognition of Dokdo as Korean territory; Korea has recognized the existence of Dokdo

a long time ago; Korea has legitimate sovereignty of Dokdo; and Korea does not have to appeal to the ICJ

to resolve this territorial issue. This study concludes that Dokdo cannot be Japanese territory, it is not

Japanese territory, but it is Korean territory.


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Truths and Misconceptions about the Territorial Rights of Dokdo

I. Introduction

Which country does the territory of Dokdo belong to? Dokdo Island (also called Liancourt Rocks

by some nations and Takeshima by Japan) is 216 km from mainland Korea and 250 km from Japan proper.

Dokdo can be seen with a naked eye in clear, fine days

from the island, Ulleungdo. Dokdo and Ulleungdo are

90 kilometers apart from one another.

(http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid

=623881, Steven J. Barber http://www.dokdo-

takeshima.com/) Dokdo is administered by the Republic

of Korea, and Koreans living on the island currently. It

is under Korean effective control.

Japan recognized the strategic value of Dokdo in 1904 during the Russo-Japanese War. “Dokdo

is in a great strategic location to establish a watchtower and install radio or submarine cables to detect the

movements of enemy ships.” said Yamaza Enjiro (1866-1914), Director of the Political Affairs Bureau,

Japan. (Facts about Dokdo. http://korea.prkorea.com/wordpress/english/2012/10/26/facts-about-dokdo/)

Japan’s attempt at incorporating Dokdo in 1905 through Shimane Prefecture Public Notice No. 40 was

done in the process of and as part of its occupation of Korea. It was not only an illegal act, infringing on

Korea’s sovereignty over the island, but also null and void under international law. Dokdo was restored as

Korean territory after World War II, and the Government of the Republic of Korea has been exercising

Korea’s irrefutable territorial sovereignty over Dokdo ever since. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

Dokdo, Korean Territory (PP. 10-12). Retrieved from http://dokdo.mofa.go.kr/upload/eng1.pdf)

The followings are four Japanese claims to attempt to raise territorial dispute on Dokdo. There

are historical documents proving Japanese claims are false, but Dokdo belongs to Korea.

Figure 1 Dokdo-Takeshima Island. Retrieved from

http://www.dokdo-takeshima.com/


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II. Japan Claims: Japan has long recognized the existence of Dokdo

Japan has long recognized Dokdo as Korean territory. The Japanese government presents “The

Revised Complete Map of Japanese Lands and Roads” serve as proof that Japan has long recognized

Dokdo as Japanese territory. However, older maps like The Map of Japan Coastal Areas and The

Complete Map of Joseon do not mark Ullengdo

and Dokdo as Japan’s. Dokdo and Ullengdo are

located outside the longitudinal and latitudinal

lines of the grid in the 1846 edition of this map and

in the original edition completed in 1779. Official

Japanese government documents also clearly show

that Japan had not recognized Dokdo as its

territory until its illegal incorporation of the island in

1905. In 1877, Japan's most authoritative

government office at that time, the State Council (Dakojan), issued an order which stated, “Concerning

the inquiry about Takeshima and the other island, it is to be understood that this country [Japan] has

nothing to do with them.” Here, Takeshima referred to Ulleungdo and the other island referred to Dokdo.

Some Japanese scholars argue that the other island in this order is not Dokdo. However, The Simplified

Map of Isotakeshima, completed in 1877 and submitted by Shimane Prefecture to the Ministry of Internal

Affairs, made it clear that the other island was Matsushuma, that is, Dokdo. (Ten truths about Dokdo,

Kim Hakjun, 2013)

When Woosan State, which consisted of Ullengdo and Dokdo was merged into Shilla in 512,

Dokdo historically became a territory of Korea. All the ancient records found in Japan are saying Dokdo

is a territory of Joseon Dynasty. Even Japanese scholars admit this fact. All the eminent geographers in

the west regarded Dokdo as a Korean territory. Many world maps record that Dokdo is a part of Korea.

Takeshima is absolutely a misnomer. Japan must call Dokdo “Dokdo” because it is clearly a Korean

Figure 2 Northeast Asian History Foundation (n.d.). Ten

Truth about Dokdo. Retrieved from

http://www.nahf.or.kr/Data/board_100/dokdo_Truth/Eng

lish.pdf


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territory. They made the word Takeshima to argue that Dokdo is Japanese. Takeshima is a product from

Japan's shrewd way of distorting the truth. Nothing can substitute for the name of Dokdo. Dokdo is

Dokdo. Takeshima must be deleted, Dokdo doesn't have another name. Although Dokdo has always

been a Korean territory, Japan continuously says Dokdo had been officially recognized as a Japanese

territory by international law. Japan doesn't have any true evidence proving Dokdo belongs to Japan.

Only if Korea keeps sharpening its logic, which confirms its territorial right to Dokdo with a lot of

evidence, Japan would finally stop this meaningless dispute. (VANK, 8 Core Facts about Dokdo, 2012)

Korean title to Dokdo dates back to the 6th century. According to the records of Samguk Sagi -(History

of the Three Kingdoms), Korean sovereignty over the island was established with the incorporation of

Usanguk -(“guk” means “state”) into the Kingdom of Silla, one of the three ancient kingdoms of Korea,

in 512 A.D. Dokdo was clearly marked as belonging to Gangwon Province, one of eight provinces of the

medieval Korean kingdom. It is particularly worth noting that Paldo Chongdo -(Map of Eight Provinces

of Korea) and Gangwondo Jido -(Map of Gangwon Province), both of which mark Ullengdo and Dokdo

as belonging to Korea's Gangwon Province. The first documented Japanese mention of Dokdo appeared

in the mid-17th century. Onshū Shichō Gōki, the 1667 topographical survey, was edited by a local

official in the Izumo region, which was then a part of the present day Shimane Prefecture. It contains the

following passage: “Onshū of Japan (present-day Oki Island) lies in the middle of the northern sea… Not

connected to anywhere to the north and east, Matsushima (Dokdo) is located at a distance of two days and

one night. From here, located at a distance of one day is Takeshima (Ulleungdo). While no one lives on

the two islands, looking at Goryeo (Korea) from this island is the same as looking at Onshū from the

Izumo region. Therefore, the northern limit of Japan is this Shū (Onshū or Oki Island).” No document

had been filed concerning Matsushima far back then. There was a case in which Takeshima had been

leased from Joseon for settlement for some time during the Genroku era. At that time, it was still an

uninhabited island, as it had been. According to the Japanese interpretation, Japan regained its ownership

of Dokdo by such fault.


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In Article 2 of the San Francisco Peace Treaty it stated: “Japan shall renounce all right, title, and

claim to Korea, including Jejudo, Geomundo, and Ullengdo” Japan asserts that Dokdo was not included

in the list among the islands to be returned to Korea. Japan uses this interpretation as proof that Dokdo

does not belong to Korea. Even bigger islands than Dokdo were not specifically listed in the treaty. If

one follows the Japanese interpretation of the treaty, only three Korean islands would have been returned

to Korea. Given the fact that there are more than 3,000 Korean islands, such an argument is invalid. (Part

II: Korean Sovereignty over Dokdo - Facts and Evidence, Korea Awards, 2011)

In the Cairo Declaration, it states: “Japan will be expelled from all other territories which she has

taken by violence and greed.” The declaration indicates that Korea fully recovered its sovereign rights

over its territories. Dokdo is no exception. Based on the Ullengo Boundary Dispute, the Daijokan stated

the following, “Be assured that either Ullengdo or Dokdo has no relation to Japan.” About 7 years before,

a Japanese official also filed a similar report. In the report titled Chosenkoku Kosai-Shimatsu Naitansho,

he concluded that Ulleungdo and Dokdo had nothing to do with Japan. “How Takeshima (Ulleungdo)

and Matsushima (Dokdo) became annexed to Joseon.” This statement shows that Japan recognized

Ulleungdo and Dokdo as Korean territories. There was no disagreement over the sovereignty of these

islands between Korea and Japan. Korea has long established its sovereignty to the court. Japan is

constantly making claims of sovereignty over Dokdo. There is a real reason why Japan wants to take this

issue to the international court. Japan is trying to make Dokdo a contested region. Dokdo will be brought

into an unwanted territorial dispute. Dokdo is not a simple matter of a territorial dispute between Korea

and Japan. It is instead a common issue of peace among all humanity. Japanese imperialism took the

lives of many innocent people, and Japan has shown no regret for its past actions. The international

community should encourage Japan to reflect on its history. Otherwise, imperialistic movements in Japan

may gain momentum again. It should be ensured that imperialism will no longer be tolerated. (Facts

about Dokdo, Voluntary Agency Network of Korea, 2012)


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III. Japan claims: No evidence that Korea recognized the existence of Dokdo in the past

Ancient maps and documents prove that Dokdo has been rightfully owned by Korea in the past.

It has been historically proven that Dokdo is recognized as a part of the island Ulleungdo. This is

significant because during the Shilla Dynasty, the king of Shilla conquered Usan-guk in his thirteenth

year of reign (www.dokdohistory.com). At that time Dokdo was referred to as Usan-guk and it is also

known as Ulleungdo stating that Dokdo is Korea's land since Ulleungdo is Korea's.

There are several historical documents that prove that Usando is the same as Dokdo. The

documents that were issued by the Korean government were The Newly Enlarged Geographical Survey of

Korea published during 1531, Reference Compilation of Materials on Korea (1770), The Book of Ten

Thousand Techniques of Governance (1808), and the Revised and Enlarged Edition of the Reference

Compilation of Documents on Korea (1908) (The Ten Truths). These documents clearly exemplify that

Dokdo has been our land for a very long time and Japan has no right to take away the land that has

belonged to Korea since the past.

Not only does evidence lie in the historical documents, but there is also evidence in "The Map of

the Eight Provinces of Korea." This map of Joseon clearly shows Ulleungdo and Dokdo are in the East

Sea. Since these maps dated back a long

time ago, the locations of the two islands

are not evident, but it does show that they

existed and had been mapped because

they were recognized a long time ago.

Not only does this map show the

presence of the two islands Dokdo, also

called Usando at that time, and

Ulleungdo, but also maps that were published after the eighteenth century shows that Usando is east of

the island, Ulleungdo. As these maps produced, the islands locations' grew more accurate. The Map of the

Figure 3 Figure 2 Northeast Asian History Foundation (n.d.). Ten

Truth about Dokdo. Retrieved from

http://www.nahf.or.kr/Data/board_100/dokdo_Truth/English.pdf


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Eight Provinces of Korea supports the fact that Usando has been recognized in the past. Also, King

Sejong quoted in The Geographical Appendix to the Veritable Records, that Usan (that is Dokdo) and

Mureung (that is, Ulleungdo) are located in the middle of the sea, due east of this country (The Ten

Truths)

There is also evidence found in the Takeshima Incident that explicitly demonstrates that Dokdo is

an island that has rightfully belonged to Korea since the past. During the Takeshima incident, a man from

Japan named Aizuya Hachiemon disobeyed the law that passage to foreign lands were controlled and

forbidden without special voyage passes and traveled to Ulleungdo. In result to his defiance, Aizuya

Hachiemon was executed. Japanese Takeshima lobbyists insist that “…The 1836 incident is important in

the Dokdo/Takeshima debate because it shows that although travel to Takeshima (Ulleungdo) was banned,

travel to Matsushima (Liancourt Rocks) was apparently not since Hachiemon traveled to Takeshima

under the pretense of going to Matsushima…" From this belief, some Japanese go a step further stating

“…because there was no travel ban, Matsushima (Dokdo) was thought to be part of Japan….” (Steven J.

Barberhttp://www.dokdo-takeshima.com/the-takeshima-incident-of-1837.html). These claims made by

Japan were proven to be false. It is evident that the Japanese involved in this Takeshima incident did

regard Dokdo as an island that belonged to Joseon land. In Aizuya Hachiemon's testimony we see that

there is no statement claiming that Japan considered Dokdo to be Japan's territory at all. Japan considered

Dokdo as their land only because Aizuya Hachiemon disobeyed the laws and traveled there. In addition to

Aizuya Hachiemon's testimony, there is a map that shows those who voyaged around Japan illegally. On

this map Ulleungdo and Dokdo have been labeled as Joseon land. Ironically, Aizuya Hachiemon was the

one who drew this map. He knew that these islands belonged to Korea because Japan declared that

Ulleungdo and Dokdo could not be visited by the Japanese in 1695 without having a special voyage pass.


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IV. Japan claims: That the Republic of Korea is illegally occupying Dokdo

There is lots of legitimate evidence that Dokdo rightfully belongs to Korea, while there aren’t

many supporting Japan’s claim. As described in the introduction above, Japan’s attempt at incorporating

Dokdo in 1905 through Shimane Prefecture Public Notice No. 40 was done in the process of and as part

of its occupation of Korea; it was an illegal act, infringing on Korea’s sovereignty over the island, and

against international law.

Dokdo is administered by the Republic of Korea, and South Koreans currently living on the

island. Approximately 100,000 South Koreans visit the island annually. There are no permanent

Japanese residents on Dokdo, or Takeshima as they call it, nor are there any Japanese tourists visiting

Dokdo. “Dokdo” means “Rocky Island”, but “Takeshima” means “Bamboo Island.” Dokdo is a rocky

island, but does not resemble a bamboo tree, or even have any bamboo trees on it. Japan has no right to

call Dokdo, “Takeshima,” as the meanings of the two names are entirely different. Nevertheless, with

evidence and historical facts against them, they continue to unjustifiably claim Dokdo. (Dokdo

Takeshima Island Liancourt Rocks The Historical Facts of the Dokdo / Takeshima Island Dispute

Between Korea and Japan. (n.d.). Dokdo Takeshima Liancourt Rocks The Facts of the Dispute RSS.

Retrieved October 27, 2013, from http://www.dokdo-takeshima.com/dokdo-takeshima-related-historical-

data)

During World War II, Japan took control over Korea, including Dokdo, but after the Allied

Powers won World War II, Korea regained all of its land. Nearly 70 years have passed since Korea’s

independence from Japan, yet they still argue that Dokdo is their land. Asahi Shimbun of Japan said,

“An agreement between Japan and South Korea recognizes a wide area of the Sea of Japan as ‘provisional

waters’ under joint administration, where fishermen of both countries are allowed to operate

unencumbered by the dispute over sovereignty. This area does not include the 12- nautical-mile zone

around the island, which South Korea claims as part of its territorial waters”. This “12-nautical-mile


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zone” around Dokdo is the territory that the Republic of Korea would lose, where there are many natural

resources. Not only is this claimed as South Korea’s territorial waters, but they are administered to them.

(Selden, M. (n.d.). Small Islets, Enduring Conflict: Dokdo, Korea-Japan Colonial Legacy and the United

States 小さな島、長続きする葛藤−−日朝の植民地時代よりの遺物と米国 :: Japan Focus. Retrieved

from http://www.japanfocus.org/-mark-selden/3520)

In the late 17th century, “The Ulleungdo Boundary Dispute” book was created, recording

interactions between Korea and Japan regarding Dokdo. In the year 1693, Japanese fishermen from the

Tottori Domain were seen fishing near Ulleungdo, in Korean waters. They were seen by Korean

fishermen, including Ahn Yong-Bok. Ahn traveled to Japan, and protested the trespassing of Japanese

fishermen into Korean territory. In turn, the Japanese fishermen also reported to their government that

Korean fishermen were in the area. The Japanese government requested that the Tottori Domain

investigate the area, to see if it was the part of their territory. In the document below, in 1695, the

“daimyo” lord of the Tottori Domain answered the Edo Shogunate of the Japanese Government:

Ulleungdo and Dokdo do not belong to the Tottori Domain. Accordingly, the Japanese Government

renounced permission for ships to enter the Ulleungdo and Dokdo Area.


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Figure 4 Northeast Asian History Foundation (n.d.). Ten Truth about Dokdo. Retrieved from

http://www.nahf.or.kr/Data/board_100/dokdo_Truth/English.pdf

(Ahn Yong-bok told of Dokdo, Ulleungdo. (n.d.). Ahn Yong-bok told of Dokdo, Ulleungdo. Retrieved

October 27, 2013, from http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/issues/2013/04/139_134022.html, Facts about

Dokdo. (n.d.). Friendly Korea. Retrieved October 27, 2013, from

http://korea.prkorea.com/wordpress/english/2012/10/26/facts-about-dokdo/)

Right after its establishment in 1948, the Republic of Korea made Dokdo’s address “1, Dodong,

Nam-myeon, Ulleung-gun, North Gyeongsang Province”. The Republic of Korea made Dokdo’s

occupancy clear, and no countries had a problem with that, including Japan. There are two Korean

residents now living on Dokdo, Seong Do Kim, and his wife Shin Yeol Kim. There are about 37 people,

with police officers and public officials guarding Dokdo. There is a lighthouse, radiation detector, and

one large residential building. There are also telephone towers, for carriers such as SK Telecom, KTF,

and LG Telecom. There are ferries on Ulleungdo that sail to Dokdo, carrying around 100,000 tourists

every year. The Republic of Korea has labeled Dokdo as the “Natural Monument No. 336: Dokdo

Breeding Ground for Seabirds” in 1982 and as an “Environmentally Protected Area” in 1999. (Northeast

Asian History Foundation (n.d.). Ten Truths About Dokdo Not Known in Japan. Seoul, Korea)


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Many maps have been made recently in Japan, which include Dokdo as their land. This is an

attempt to teach children in Japanese schools that Dokdo, or Takeshima, is owned by Japan. This is not

true, as there are many maps made much earlier, in the 19th century which exclude Dokdo as Japanese

territory. All Korean maps made in the past, and maps made currently include Dokdo as Korea’s land.

This map (below), made by Matsuzuki Hanzo in 1881, shows no Japanese islands in the west of the Oki

Islands. Many maps made before Japan’s misleading claim in 1904, such as the 1891 Map by Sagano

Hikotaro, which omits both Dokdo and Ulleungdo, the 1899 Map by Nogiwa Kaoru, the 1893 Map by

Izawa Komakichi, and the 1894 map by Yamamoto Homeji, which all do not have Dokdo on them. There

are countless many more, but after 1904, maps have been changing little by little, with more of

“Takeshima” than “Dokdo”, and more of “Sea of Japan” rather than “East Sea”.

(Dokdo Through the Ages. (n.d.). Dokdo Through the Ages. Retrieved October 27, 2013, from

http://dokdo-research.com/temp17.html, Dokdo Takeshima Island Liancourt Rocks The Historical Facts

of the Dokdo / Takeshima Island Dispute Between Korea and Japan. (n.d.). Dokdo Takeshima

Liancourt Rocks The Facts of the Dispute Japanese Ancient Maps Excluded Dokdo Takeshima Part I

Comments. Retrieved October 27, 2013, from http://www.dokdo-takeshima.com/japanese-historical-

maps-excluded-dokdo-i.html)

Dokdo has been a topic of controversy for centuries between Korea and Japan. Both sides have

evidence, historical maps and documents to support their claims, but the legitimacy of their assertions are


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entirely different. There are Korean and Japanese documents and maps that both show how Dokdo is not

Japanese territory, but Korean territory. Even though Japan is telling the world that Dokdo is theirs, and

is trying to get the name “Takeshima” printed on maps to represent Dokdo, the historical and current

reality is against them. Japan’s take on Dokdo became different as soon as they realized the economic

and political advantages they could gain if they acquired the island. But before that, Japan left Dokdo

alone, and recognized it as Korean territory.


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V. Japan proposed to the Republic of Korea to refer this dispute over Dokdo to the

International Court of Justice, the Republic of Korea rejects doing so

Japanese government declares that it is right to refer this dispute over Dokdo to the International

Court of Justice (“ICJ”). The republic of Korea, however, does not agree on doing so. Although the

Japanese government proclaims that the Dokdo conflict should be submitted as a case to the international

court of justice, the South Korean government denies their suggestion because it is an obvious fact that

Dokdo is an integral part of Korean territory through history and geography.

Going to the court over a territorial dispute isn’t as easy as going to the court with any individual

case. Territorial dispute is very sensitive both politically and emotionally to the county. It is notoriously

difficult to resolve peacefully or enduringly. The result of settlement on border issues is unpredictable,

and political leaders often are very unwilling to accept the risks of losing territory. The outcomes of ICJ

can develop the conflict into serious conditions such as a war. Therefore, peaceful agreement among the

countries directly involved is preferred to being dependent on the ICJ’s meaningless resolution.

In a case of territorial dispute, both countries should agree to going to ICJ. As mentioned before,

however, resolving territorial dispute peacefully is highly uncommon; it

could lead up to another dispute and Dokdo is not exceptional. UN

Security Council will intervene in

the dispute in that case, and

political solution is to be proposed

regardless of the involved parties

as shown in the next process in graphic. ICJ may make a legal decision

based on political recommendations of the UN Security Council. Japan’s

political force may also influence on this matter as they aim to be a

permanent member of the UN Security Council. While Dokdo is in

Figure 5 Japan Submits

Takeshima/Dokdo Dispute to

International Court of Justice Japan

Probe. Retrieved from

http://www.japanprobe.com/2012/08/17/j

apan-submits-takeshimadokdo-dispute-

to-international-court-of-justice/


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effective control of South Korea, it is not a sensible way to let ICJ make a legal decision which is not

completely free from politics.

Territorial disputes involving Japan are not only with Dokdo, but also with Diaoyu and Kurile

Island. The disputes are linked to Japan’s 20th-century military expansion across Asia, which ended in

World War II, and persist until today. While Japan submits Dokdo dispute to ICJ, Japan’s senior Foreign

Ministry official indicated there is no need to refer a territorial dispute between Japan and China to the

ICJ with the reason that Japan owns the Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands in the East China Sea. Japan’s

different attitude toward their territorial disputes tells how important effective control is on the matter.

Figure 6 Territorial Disputes Involving Japan (2012) New York Times. Retrieved from

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/09/20/world/asia/Territorial-Disputes-Involving-

Japan.html?ref=territorialdisputes&_r=1&


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VI. CONCLUSION

Japan claims Japan has long recognized the existence of Dokdo, but their recognition starts after

the WWII. Japan claims there is no evidence that Korea recognized the existence of Dokdo in the past,

but there are many historical documents of both Korea and Japan described as Dokdo belonged to Korea.

Japan claims that Korea is illegally occupying Dokdo, but Dokdo rightfully belongs to Korea as it has

always been. Japan’s attempt at incorporating Dokdo in 1905 through Shimane Prefecture Public Notice

No. 40 was rather illegal and void under international law. Japan claims that Korea rejects against to

Japan’s proposal to refer this dispute to ICJ, but it is not a matter for any judgment by third party. It is a

matter of national sovereignty. Japan even has different attitude over three similar territorial disputes

involving Japan.

In order to continue to defend Korea’s sovereignty over Dokdo, Korea needs to reinforce

effective control over Dokdo Island by improving on tourism business. Historical truth based-documents

proving that Japan’s claim is a false statement are to be researched and developed to advertise

internationally. Such documents written in Korean should be translated to English. Korean American

youths should certainly be aware of the historical fact and be involved in programs such as class activities,

forums, and debates over the international matters; so that they can generate more interest on truth over

Dokdo. Spreading the truth all over the world peacefully by doing as shown above is one of the task

Korean American youths should be responsible for. When this territory dispute is settled based on this

kind of effort, it will positively influence on other international disputes.

The claims of Japan proved as false. There are multifarious documents of historical facts that

prove that Dokdo is territory of Korea. Throughout this essay we have expanded upon some of the truths

and misconceptions about Dokdo that have not been cleared up with Japan. Many people may wonder

what the big deal is about the island Dokdo, but that may be because they are not exposed to the

relationship between Japan and Korea. Koreans must speak up in order to prosper and overcome those

that try to take away Dokdo which rightfully belongs to Korea. As the future generations of Korea, what


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actions can Korean people make to help end this territorial dispute among Korea and Japan? Making a

difference in the world and trying to come together to end this dispute peacefully is not easy; however, it

is not impossible. We must continue to fight and prove to Japan that Dokdo has been and will always be

our land. By dragging the matter and dispersing the true facts about Dokdo, we can convince other

nations and other Koreans that Dokdo is ours. We must continue to fight this battle and not let Japan take

away what belonged to Korea first no matter how hard it might be. Since our ancestors have completed

this task, we can continue forward and do the same.

Dokdo belongs to Korea!


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References

Barber, Steven J. (2013) The Japanese 1870 Secret Report on Joseon (Korea). Retrieved from

http://www.dokdo-takeshima.com/the-takeshima-incident-of-1837.html

Barber, Steven J. http://www.dokdo-takeshima.com/gallery

Barber, Steven J. http://www.dokdo-takeshima.com/the-takeshima-incident-of-1837.html

Dokdo Takeshima Island Liancourt Rocks The Historical Facts of the Dokdo / Takeshima Island Dispute

Between Korea and Japan. (n.d.). Dokdo Takeshima Liancourt Rocks The Facts of the Dispute

Japanese Ancient Maps Excluded Dokdo Takeshima Part I Comments. Retrieved October 27,

2013, from http://www.dokdo-takeshima.com/japanese-historical-maps-excluded-dokdo-i.html

Dokdo Through the Ages. (n.d.). Dokdo Through the Ages. Retrieved from http://dokdo-

research.com/temp17.html

Facts about Dokdo, Voluntary Agency Network of Korea, 2012

Japan Probe (2012) Japan Submits Takeshima/Dokdo Dispute to International Court of Justice. Retrieved

from http://www.japanprobe.com/2012/08/17/japan-submits-takeshimadokdo-dispute-to-

international-court-of-justice/

Korea Tourism Organization (2008) Dokdo Islet & Ulleungdo Island. Retrieved from

http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=623881

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2012). Dokdo, Korea’s Beautiful Island. Ministry of Foreign

Affairs and Trade. Retrieved from http://dokdo.mofa.go.kr/upload/eng1.pdf

Northeast Asian History Foundation (2008). Ten Truths About Dokdo Not Known in Japan. Northeast

Asian History Foundation.

Part II: Korean Sovereignty over Dokdo - Facts and Evidence, Korea Awards, 2011

The New York Times (2012) Territorial Disputes Involving Japan. Retrieved from

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Japan.html?ref=territorialdisputes&_r=0


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The Ten Truths About Dokdo. Seodaemun-gu, Seoul: Northeast Asian History Foundation.

VANK (2012) 8 Core Facts about Dokdo. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54-

bZHHnUd8

Www.dokdohistory.com Seodaemun-gu, Seoul:Dokdo Research Institute Northeast Asian History

Foundation.