Dokdo Island: who is the master? Korea or Japan? Part 2

Part 1

---

Until 1905, Japan believed that Dokdo is the territory of Korea. Evidence of this is the so-called Decree of Daidzekan of 1877.

Daidzekan - the main administrative authority in Japan during the Meiji era

In 1906, the ruler Uldogun heard from local residents that Dokdo was included in the Japanese territories. At the same time, an urgent report was sent to the Governor of Gangwon-do Province. And then to the decree №41 they added an order that the island of Dokdo is not a territory of Japan. And Shimane Prefecture was unable to annex the island of Dokdo to Japan.

Shimane is part of the territory of Japan, located in the south-west of the island

Dokdo from a bird's-eye view

Attempts by Japan to annex the island of Dokdo to itself

In the early twentieth century, Japan was at war with Russia. And then Japan forced Korea to sign an agreement, according to which Korea gave permission to Japanese troops to freely use the Korean territory to continue the war. This treaty was the first news of the seizure of the Korean peninsula by Japan and allowed the Japanese to be appointed to high positions of the Japanese in the Korean government. Although the Korean government, of course, was particularly pleased with this and was not.

Japan began to illegally seize power in Korea, depriving it of its sovereignty.

After the end of World War II, Dokdo was returned to Korea. The Cairo Declaration, adopted in 1943, claimed that all territories forcibly seized by Japan should be returned to their true owners. Another decree, issued three years later, ruled out the Japanese administration from Dokdo territory. And * the affiliation of the island of Dokdo to the Korean peninsula was fixed by the San Francis Treaty, which was signed in 1951.

In 1965, diplomatic relations were established between Korea and Japan. At that time, South Korea was not in the best condition. Hunger and poverty reigned in the country. Japan offered a loan to Korea, but (former) President of Korea Pak Jong-Hee did not succumb to this ploy and declined the offer.

President Park Zhong Hee (1917-1979) was the head of state from 1972 to 1979

President of South Korea Pak Zhong Hee

In 2006, the Shimane Prefecture of Japan again raised the issue of Dokdo, announcing that it would be the Day of fighting for Dokdo on February 22, and saying that it would seek the return of "Japanese lands."

Today the island of Dokdo is considered part of the Korean territory, although the Japanese government does not abandon attempts to assign the island. The Korean government is making great efforts to consolidate its rights on this island. An association "Dokdo Association" was even established, which deals specifically with issues concerning the island of Dokdo. The Association is engaged in research and study of historical reports, documents, decrees relating to the island. And for foreigners, they often arrange different events to know about Dokdo not only in Korea, but also abroad.

The event dedicated to the island of Dokdo

I've been to this island a couple of times. More precisely next floated. Also by invitation to an event dedicated to acquaintance with the island. The event lasted 2 days and 1 night. The first day early in the morning we gathered in Seoul and were brought to the island of Dokdo by steamer. On the way to the skeleton, we had conversations about the island itself and about the relations between Japan and Korea. And also, we were given souvenirs from the island. The same day we returned to Seoul and continued to talk about Dokdo, we watched a few clips about the island. All expenses for the event Dokdo Association took over.

---

@irisworld

---

If you have any questions about Korea don't hesitate to contact me here or via instagram

More articles about my travel adventures you can find here

---

Original versions

---

Disclosure: Posts on TravelFeed may contain affiliate links. See affiliate disclosure.