[Editorial] Japanese Objection to Planned Dok Do National Park: For What?

Japan is reportedly opposed to our planned designation as a national park of Woolreun Do and Dok Do. A Japanese official was quoted as saying, “If the plan is confirmed, we will protest [to the Korean government] in the severe manner.” But all the reactions from Japan presuppose a premise that Dok Do is a part of Japanese territory. But Japan should look back on the history prior to taking any action.

Dok Do undoubtedly belongs to the sovereignty of Korea. History and interpretation of the international law support it. In addition, we have put Dok Do under our sovereignty for a long time. Despite these facts, Japan is still making up a fragile logic and making a claim to Dok Do. It is a really pathetic behavior.

Thus, we cannot help pinpointing again the Japanese “excellent skill” of distorting history. One Japanese paper said, reporting this matter, “[Dok Do] became part of Japan in 1905. But we lost the control after World War II. And since 1954, Korea has occupied the island and Japan has protested against the adverse possession by Korea.” But numerous proofs contained in the historic literature demonstrate that Korea is the country that has dominated the Island ever since 512 AC” In this respect, the Japanese assertion that Korea has dominated Dok Do since 1954 does not sound persuasive at all.

What really matters lies in the intentionally of all the fallacies of Japanese arguments. Not long before, Japan argued in its high school textbook that ‘Dok Do is part of Japan,’ rousing a great dispute. Nonetheless, it did the same thing again this time. We are wondering when Japan will stop this kind of “distorting history” game.

By successfully co-hosting the World Cup, the relations between Korea and Japan have improved considerably. But, we consider this matter a separate issue aside from the relations, since the designation conveys a huge symbolic meaning to us. In other words, we feel we are just exercising our legitimate sovereignty.