Which country does Dokdo belong to? Japanese or Korean?

Japan’s Meiji-era national documents clearly state that the sovereignty of Dokdo belongs to South Korea

The Japanese government has actually admitted that Dokdo (Japanese name: Takeshima) was incorporated into Shimane Prefecture without authorization in 1905 This is illegal, and the claim that Dokdo is Japan’s inherent territory is purely fictitious. In 1877, the Meiji government clearly recognized in the "Taishegguan Directive" that "Dokdo and Ulleungdo are not Japanese territory." The Taizongguan was the highest state agency in Japan during the Meiji period. The "Taizongguan Directive" refers to the national document issued by the Taizongguan to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Shimane Prefecture in March 1877 after investigating the issue of sovereignty over Dokdo and Ulleungdo. The document clearly states that “Dokdo and Ulleungdo are not Japanese territory.” Korean academics regard this document as "decisive historical evidence" that the Japanese government officially recognizes Dokdo as belonging to South Korea.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently replied: It is currently unable to reply. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ reply this time is in fact an admission that Japan’s previous claim to territorial rights over Dokdo is groundless. Previously, Japan claimed that Japan had effective control over Dokdo and had territorial rights until at least the mid-17th century, and that territorial rights were reaffirmed through a cabinet decision in 1905.

The main contents of Yonhap News Agency’s letter of challenge include: whether the existence of the “Tae Jung-gwan Directive” is known; if the document is known, why has it not once mentioned the “Tae Jung-gwan Instruction” that is important to the territorial rights issue of Dokdo? ;According to the "Grand Advocate Directive", the Japanese government's previous claim that "Japan had territorial rights to Dokdo at least until the middle of the 17th century" is a fiction; when Dokdo was included in the administrative jurisdiction of Shimane Prefecture in 1905, did it deliberately conceal the "Grand Advocate"? "Instructions", etc.

After Yonhap News Agency sent a letter of questioning, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated several times that it was "studying relevant issues and waiting for a reply," and repeatedly avoided answering questions or delayed time. It was not until 60 days later that a reply was sent on November 13, saying: We are aware of the existence of the "Tai Zhengguan Directive"; we are investigating and analyzing its historical facts, and we are currently unable to express an opinion from the government's perspective.

It is recorded in the "Taishegguan Directive" that "Dokdo and Ulleungdo are not Japanese territory."

This is the first time that the Japanese government has officially recognized the existence of the "Tai Zhengguan Directive" and stated its position on it. Yonhap News Agency quoted an unnamed Japanese professor at Sejong University as saying that the Japanese government and imperial scholars have deliberately concealed the existence of the "Taisheungguan Directive" for decades, hiding it from the international community and Japanese citizens. Because Japan is worried that its long-held claim that "Dokdo is Japan's inherent territory" will be undermined. If the Japanese government recognizes the "Grand Advocate Directive", it would be equivalent to admitting that the inclusion of Dokdo into Japanese territory in 1905 was an imperialist predatory act that ignored the "Advocate Directive". Therefore, it cannot recognize the directive in the future, nor can it refute it. However, Japan may also produce other records that can be used as evidence of the Taisheng official documents, or fabricate relevant facts.

Lee Suk-woo, a professor of international law at Inha University in South Korea, said that from the perspective of international law in the dispute over Dokdo territorial rights between South Korea and Japan, South Korea must prove that when Japan incorporated Dokdo into its territory in 1905, Dokdo was South Korea's territory. The "Taishegguan Directive" is a decisive document that supports South Korea's proposition. On the contrary, it is an "Achilles heel" for Japan.

In addition, 106 years ago, on October 25, 1900, the Korean Empire enacted "Regulatory Order No. 41", stipulating that Dokdo was the jurisdiction of Ulleungdo. Yuji Hosaka, a professor at Sejong University who has been studying the sovereignty of Dokdo, released two copies of ancient maps produced by the Japanese on the 24th, in which Dokdo was marked as South Korean territory. The map released this time is of great significance since it was produced before the Japanese invaded the Korean Peninsula and made Dokdo their own territory.

The maps disclosed by Professor Hosaka are the "National Map of Korea" produced by "Tokyo Prefectural Samurai (samurai class) Suzuki Keisaku" in 1882 and the "Complete Map of Japan" produced by Osuka Ryutan in 1893. . Both maps were made by the Japanese, but Ulleungdo (Bamboo Island) and Dokdo (Songdo) are marked in the "Comprehensive Map of Korea", while Dokdo and Ulleungdo are not marked in the "Comprehensive Map of Japan" island.

Although Japan now calls Dokdo in Korea "Bamboo Island", from the mid-17th century to 1905, Ulleungdo Island was called Takeshima and Dokdo was called "Songdo". Professor Hosaka said: "The map of Japan even uses a square at the bottom to show Okinawa, which was incorporated into the mainland in 1871, and the Ogasawara Islands, which were added to the mainland in 1876, but Dokdo and Ulleungdo are not shown. From this, it can be seen that Japan's claim to ' The possession of Dokdo since the mid-17th century is a pure lie."

He also said: "The correct location of the two islands was marked on the map of Korea produced by the Japanese at the same time. Evidence that Ulleungdo and Dokdo are recognized as Korean territory.” Professor Hosaka visited Ulleungdo and Dokdo Museum in North Gyeongsang on the 19th and donated two copies of the map. Japan designated Dokdo as an uninhabited island at a cabinet meeting in 1905 and decided to incorporate it into Shimane Prefecture. Only later did maps appear marking Dokdo as Japanese territory.

Other ancient Japanese books that record that Dokdo is Korean territory

"Yunzhou Audiovisual Records" (1667), "The Story of Korean International Diplomacy" (1869 Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs) ), "Decision of Taejung Palace" (Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs, 1876), "Map of the East Coast of Korea" (Japanese Navy Ministry, 1876), "Records of the Japanese War" (1905 Tokyo Museum), "Guidance Area Overview Map" (Japanese Army General Staff Headquarters in 1936).

Dokdo is also marked as Korean territory in the ancient Chinese map "General Map of Korea"

Dong Yue, the envoy of the Ming Dynasty of China, visited Korea in 1488 AD in compliance with the imperial edict of the (Yingzong) Emperor After the war, he formulated a record of his experiences called "Chosun Fu". The "General Map of the Eight Paths of Korea" is recorded on pages 4 to 5 of this record. It can prove that Dokdo belongs to South Korean territory. "Chosun Fu" is a Japanese manuscript in 1717 that added Japanese pronunciation to the original Chinese characters. It is now treasured in Japan.