Award Winning Works of 5th Int'l Essay Contest on Dokdo Prize

It is our country, defend it.

Na You-jin This writer is currently studying at Baylor University in Waco, TX. She is majoring in biology and minoring in medical humanisties.

What significance does Dokdo have for Koreans? For many, the island is something to claim without question as Korean territory. But, how many Koreans who claim Dokdo as their own can really support their claim?

I dare say that Koreans in general do not know much about the history of Dokdo. I make this statement on the basis that I did not know anything about the history surrounding the island until I began this essay. Other Korean adults and children I asked possessed minimal knowledge of why Dokdo is our land. However, most Koreans are adamant in their position; they state that Dokdo is Korea's territory with a convincing amount of passion. This amount of faith and defensive attitude towards Korea's authority over the island is a crucial trait in our tradition that continues to strengthen the tie between Dokdo and Korea. Yet, without any personal knowledge supporting this proclaim, such passion and declarations that the song called, "Dokdo is our land" is nothing more than mere propaganda embedded into our society.

I am a Korean citizen who grew up in China, Germany and America. Though I only lived in Korea for the first three years of my life, I am a proud Korean who loves her country. Like other Koreans, I grew up knowing that Dokdo was our land. However, as I began writing this essay, I realized that I knew nothing about the island except for its location. I soon realized that other Koreans, adults and teenagers alike, knew little concerning the history surrounding the island.

I never doubted Korea's dominance over Dokdo, but I no longer desired to make such a claim without clear explanation. I researched both Korean and Western databases to gain a relatively unbiased perspective regarding Dokdo, its history and its ownership. My research led me to official documents, government websites and old maps from France, Japan, and Korea, outlining the history of the island. It was exciting to see how those old documents supported Korea's claim over Dokdo. Korea recorded the existence of Dokdo in its historical writings long before any other country. Old maps and writings of the French and of the Japanese also represent Dokdo as Korean property. History seems to prove that Korea indeed has authority over Dokdo.

The Korean government and military continue to protect and promote Dokdo. Dokdo is listed as one of Korea's natural treasures, and our country strives to win this argument over the authority of the island. More and more Koreans are being allowed to visit the island so that they can see and experience this piece of Korea.

Dokdo is a beautiful part of our history and our present. It may simply be a set of rock islands to some, but to us it is a proud portion of our country. The meaning of Dokdo became so much more to me after engaging in this essay. The historical knowledge I discovered about the island planted in me a confidence to Korea's claim over Dokdo. I challenge other Koreans who possess a hazy meaning of Dokdo to spend just one hour researching its history. It is my hope that the general population of Korea will also know the value of this island and educate themselves enough to be confident of our country's claim.

While reading about Dokdo, I was surprised by the unmistakable evidence that supported Korea's claim and slightly baffled by the ridiculous claims made by Japan that do not seem to coincide with historical data. I want Koreans to continue to declare their rights over Dokdo. However, I want them to do this after they understand why Korea can rightfully make such a claim. Making an argument while being ignorant or choosing to be ignorant of the facts given is not only unwise but also shameful. Japan chooses to ignore the historical evidence pointing to Korea's ownership of Dokdo, including numerous Japanese maps that exclude Dokdo from Japanese land and writings of Japanese scholars that recognize Dokdo as Korean land. Let us not be ignorant of the historical evidence that validates our right over Dokdo.

Dokdo should not have meaning because it is a piece of land that can be argued over with Japan, which to many remains a country of dissent. Instead, it should be protected because it is an island that is rightfully ours.

It is important that we stay passionate about the authority governing the island. However, it is crucial for us to realize that our individual claims based on an emotion are meaningless if we cannot give reasons for our arguments. How can we make others believe if we do not ourselves know why we believe?