Korean Sovereignty over Dokdo, Lost and Regained

From the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century, Japan pursued a policy of imperialistic expansion. Japan won the Sino-Japanese war in 1894 and the Russo-Japanese war in 1904; the main issue at stake in both wars was control over Korea. After having beaten off its two colonial rivals, Japan forced Korea to become its protectorate in 1905, and finally annexed Korea by force in 1910. In the course of this imperial aggression, the Shimane Prefecture, a Japanese local a...

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Dokdo: Korean Territory Since the Sixth Century

- Table of Contents - Part I : Profile of Dokdo (Size: 272Kb) Geography and Environment Names Part II : Korean Sovereignty over Dokdo - Facts and Evidence (Size: 330Kb) When Did Dokdo Become a Part of Korean Territory Ahn Yong-bok's Activities and Japan's Confirmation of Korean Sovereignty over Dokdo Korean Sovereignty over Dokdo Reconfirmed: Japanese Documentary Evidence of the Late 19th Century (1) Chosenkoku Kosai Shimatsu Naitansho (A Confidential Inquiry into the Particulars o...

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Timeline

512: Dokdo Island is first noted in historical texts 1145: Area that includes Dokdo is mentioned in the official "History of the Three Kingdoms" Early 15th century: The "Annals of King Sejong" describes how Dokdo can be seen from Ulleungdo during good weather May 1696: Ahn Yong-bok and a group of fisherman warn Japanese seamen to stay away from Ulleungdo and Dokdo. Ahn later obtains a letter from Japanese authorities acknowledging Ulleungdo and Dokdo to be Korean territory. 1870: Japane...

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The Dokdo Case: Japanese Records

The following Japanese historical records and documents indicate acknowledgement of Korean sovereignty over Dokdo: ■ 1785: Map A map published in Japan (author identified as Hayashi) shows Takeshima (Dokdo) as Korean territory. ■ 1870: Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs document Officials returning from a visit to Korea file a report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs outlining why Matsushima (Ulleungdo) and Takeshima (Dokdo) belong to Korea. ■ 1877: Japanese Prime Ministerial instructions...

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Dokdo: History of Korean Sovereignty

Korean Claim Firmly Rooted Throughout history, Dokdo has been a feature of Korea's territory. The Island was first recorded as part of Korea in a document generated during the Shilla Dynasty in 512. An official publication called the "History of the Three Kingdoms" (Samguksagi), written in 1145, refers to the conquest of Usanguk, an area that included Dokdo. Dokdo is also mentioned in the "Annals of King Sejong" (Sejong Sillok Jiriji), a series of historical texts from the king who ruled from 1...

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Dokdo: The Korean Position

Dokdo is, and has for centuries been, an integral part of Korean territory. The reason that the Japanese claim has inflamed Koreans to the extent it has - out of proportion to the size or value of the land in question - is because it directly concerns the Republic of Korea's independence and sovereignty. The history of the Japanese claim underscores this fact. Japan's encroachment on Dokdo in 1905 occurred in the context of its 1904-5 war with Russia. The primary objective was to se...

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The Japanese Illegitimate Claim: Takeshima

Korea Objects to Japanese Illegitimate Claim The controversy over Dokdo has simmered for years, but became heated again after a Feb. 23, 2005, press event at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents Club on Korea-Japan Friendship Year at which Japan's ambassador to Korea, Toshiyuki Takano, was asked about Dokdo. "Takeshima is historically and legally Japanese territory," he said, using Japan's name for Dokdo. The press meeting came a day after Japan's Shimane Prefecture announced plans to nominate Feb. 22 as "Takeshim...

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Korea's Exercise of Sovereignty over Dokdo

Since its establishment in 1948, the government of the Republic of Korea has been taking full control over Dokdo, a group of islets located in the East Sea. Based on its legal rights over the islets, it has stationed garrison and deployed patrol boats and other ships with a mission to guard Korea's eastern territorial sea, contiguous zone, and exclusive economic zone. It has also adopted measures to preserve its natural environment. Korea's sovereignty over Dokdo is complete, both de jure and ...

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Korean Sovereignty over Dokdo, Lost and Regained

From the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century, Japan pursued a policy of imperialistic expansion. Japan won the Sino-Japanese war in 1894 and the Russo-Japanese war in 1904; the main issue at stake in both wars was control over Korea. After having beaten off its two colonial rivals, Japan forced Korea to become its protectorate in 1905, and finally annexed Korea by force in 1910. In the course of this imperial aggression, the Shimane Prefecture, a Japanese local a...

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Dokdo: Inhabitants and Visitors

Dokdo remains the Republic of Korea's easternmost territory, a viable environment with fresh water, trees and residents, all three of which are required for land to be classified as an island under international law. Around 37 police, Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Fisheries personnel and three lighthouse keepers live on Dokdo along with a few dogs. Their role is to protect Korea's sovereignty over Dokdo and provide security and assistance where necessary for local fishing vessels and ...

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