Dokdo, Koreas Island


Term Paper

Term Paper Kwon Kyeong Tae English A1 10203
Dokdo, Korea��s Island
Conflict between Korea and Japan is becoming hotter every moment. A problem flared up a new between these two nations because of the ownership of one rocky island which has been dispute for hundreds of years. In recent few days, Korean Navy sent several gun ships to stop 2 research ships that belong to the Japanese coast guard from entering Korean EEZ (exclusive economic zone). After several talks, both sides failed to come up with solutions because Japan asked Korea not to claim a new name for the underwater terrain which is between Korea��s mainland and Dokdo Island. However, this problem isn��t new. For more than 50 years, Japan claimed Dokdo as their Island. One city even assigned Dokdo Island as part of their city. Also, many Japanese senators have been claiming Dokdo for many years. However, the evidential support and claims are weak, and there are plenty of proofs that show that Dokdo is Korea��s Island.
According to ��Takeshima Homepage��, a web page that introduce Dokdo Island as Japan��s, claims that Dokdo belongs to Japan because they have three old records of Japanese people going to Dokdo Island. According to ��Takeshima Homepage,�� Dokdo is Japan��s Island because first, in the year 1618, two Japanese Jinkichi Oya and Ichibei Murakawa of Yonago City received permission from the Shogunate Government to land on Ulleung Island. On there way, they used Dokdo as a midway base camp, and also hunted and fished there. Furthermore, they claim that Dokdo Island is their island because Dokdo Island was considered to belong to Japan and visits to this island were permitted by the Shogunate Government in 1696. However, these records are too recent compared to records that prove that Dokdo Island belonged to Korea. According to one of the chapter ��Shinlabongi�� from book ��Samkucksagi�� by Kim Bu-shic, which was written in 1145, Dokdo Island is stated along with Ulleung Island. Chapter ��Shinalajeongi�� states that Dokdo was part of the small country that belonged to the nation that existed on Ulleung Island, which was conquered by people of Korea before this book was written. According to this chapter, Dokdo��s people traded often with Shinla��s people because their language was similar. To support these, many artifacts that came from Shinla or with similar design are still being found today. So, according to records and artifacts, Dokdo is Korea��s Island.
Furthermore, Japan claims Dokdo as their Island because they believe that according to the International Law, Dokdo Island belongs to Japan. Even The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA)��s web site says that Dokdo is Japan��s Island because of International Law. However, the website does not post specific reason and details of the International Law that gives Japan the right to claim Dokdo Island. However, there are many International documents that show the right of ownership of Dokdo Island belongs to Koreans. According to the San Francisco Peace Treaty, which was signed after World War 2 by Japan and 48 other nations: Japan give up every nation they had occupied. In this treaty, the islands that should be returned to Korea are stated. Furthermore, there are many maps and documents that prove that Dokdo Island is Korea��s island. The Segye news recently reported that Kim Shin professor of Kyung Hee University, who is president of the Club of Ancient map studying (������ ����ȸ), revealed a US navigation map which was made in 1987 and is still being used today. That map shows Dokdo Island included in KADIZ (Korea Air Defense Identification Zone), not in JADIZ (Japan Air Defense Identification Zone). However, Japan does not have a historical map that clearly states Dokdo as their Island. The book called ��There is no Dokdo in Old Japan��s Map�� by Hosaka Usy, shows 17 Japanese historical maps that is considered very important by Japanese historians. One thing in common between these maps is that they don��t note Dokdo Island as Japan��s Island. This document shows that Dokdo Island is an Island that is under protection of Korea, and supporting Korea��s ownership of Dokdo Island.
Dokdo Island is Korea��s island because it is historically and legally proven by records, artifacts, and International documents. All the reasons that Japan comes up with can be shown to be false. However, Japan is just ignoring these proofs and only highlights the evidence that they come up with.

However, even though there is proof that Dokdo Island is Korea��s island, still more people around the world think Dokdo Island is Japan��s, not Korea��s. There are many reasons why people around the world have the wrong information. Because of the Korean government��s ��silent diplomacy��, Korea is not well known around the world, and Japan has more influence around the world.
Until the recent conflict between Japan concerning ownership of Dokdo, Korea��s government tried to maintain silent diplomacy. Even when there was some conflict with other nations, the Korean government tries to minimize the problems and trouble with other nations. This ��silent diplomacy�� gave opportunities for other nations like Japan, China, Russia, and many other nations to take advantage and make their idea much stronger. In this case, because the Korean government was being silent, it gave the image to people around the world that Korea is trying to steal Dokdo Island. Segye news reported that in recent survey ��93 percent of Koreans agreed that Korea should abandon silent diplomacy�� and also president Roh announced that Korea would no longer do diplomacy in silence. From now on, Korea should speak out loudly about their opinion so as to no longer suffer harm or offenses from other nations. Korea should be brave and show the world that it is telling the truth.
Also, Dokdo Island is known to people as Japan��s Island because Korea is unknown. Even Korea is unknown to people around the world, Korea is a nation that did many amazing things in human history. As an example, people around the world have learned that the first book ever printed by metal press was the bible, which was made in Europe, and this information is being taught around the world even to this moment. However, it is not true. The first book that was ever printed by metal press was printed in Korea about a hundred years earlier than Europeans. Koreans, even though they received technology of making books by press from China, Koreans were able to make the metal press first before any other nation around the world. One of the first books that were ever printed by metal printing technology was stolen by the French, and it is in one of France��s museum, only as one of the artifact in the museum. Like this example, Korea was hardly ever recognized by people around the world and still it is the same to this day. Even though we successfully hosted the Seoul Olympics and World Cup, Korea is still one of the nations that are virtually unknown to people around the world.
Furthermore, Japan��s influence around the world has made people believe that Dokdo Island is Japan��s Island. The United States of America is one of the most influential and powerful nations around the world, and Japan��s influence within the U.S.A. government and its society of elites is very large. Japan��s economic power and political influence can��t be compared with Korea��s. Also their connection to influential people has prevented Korea from renaming the Japanese sea into the East Sea. Also, Japan��s influence has changed the ways the CIA describes Dokdo Island. According to Segye news, the CIA started recording Dokdo Island no longer as Korea��s island, but as island under conflict. Even though the Korean people feel this is unfair and seek for justice, it seems that the International Justice System is no longer trustworthy. The U.N. which is influenced greatly by Japan will be on the side of Japan no matter how good and clear is that Dokdo Island is Korea��s island. Also, one of the Judges on the International court is Japanese. No matter how hard he tries to be objective, he would be subjective because Japan is his nation. That is why Japan is continually trying to bring Dokdo problem into the international arena. However, when has the International court been fair, anyway. They don��t have power to control strong nations and it always sides with strong nations. The Iraq war can be an example of the injustice and weakness of the International court.
In short, Dokdo is clearly Korea��s island because the history and documents recognized internationally support. However, Dokdo is believed to be Japan��s island. Korea is still a too weak nation to fight against Japan. The world is unfair and is full of injustice. The World is on Japan��s side. However, Korea should not give up, and we should continue to fight for justice and truth, and show the world that Korea is not a small nation that can be ignored.

Work Cited


Internet Resources

Takeshima homepage. General Affairs Division, Department of General Affairs, Shimane Prefectural Government. 26th April 2006.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan(MOFA)-The Issue of Takeshima. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. March 2004. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. 26th April 2006. < http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/takeshima/position.html>

Books


Kim, Bu-shic(��ν�), Samkucksagi(�ﱹ���, ߲������), 1145.

Hosaka, Usy, There is no Dokdo in Old Japan��s Map(�Ϻ� ���������� ���� ����). Jawoomgwamoe-woom. 2005. ������ ���� News


Jang, In-soo, US force ��Dokdo is Korea��s Island�� ([����]�̱� "������ �ѱ� ����). segye.com. April.27th 2006, Segye news. April 28, 2006. < http://kr.news.yahoo.com/service/news/shellview.htm?linkid=4&newssetid=746&articleid=2006042720403258447>

Im, Suk-gu, 93 percent Koreans abandoning silent diplomacy(���� 93% ������ ������ �ܱ��� ���� ����). hani.co.kr. .April.28th, 2006 Hankyoreh news. April 28, 2006.

Na, Gee-chun. CIA supporting Japan��s opinion become problem�� getting worse (CIA, ���� �Ϻ����� ��ȣ �Ĺ���"������ ��ȭ"). segye.com. March 7th, 2006.

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