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

Even Now, the 'Lonely' Islets

Kim Mi-na This writer is currently a second-year student at Namsan Middle School in Changwon. She dreams of working for the UN and solving international disputes. She has especially great interest for the history of Northeast Asia.

'At the east end of the Republic of Korea, we put the raging waves to sleep with rough breaths, and firmly rooted at the spirit of Korea's Dokdo.'
Those beautiful words have engraved themselves indelibly into my consciousness. Do you know where they come from? Well, they are actually carved into the memorial commemorating the completion of Dokdo's berth facility. The Korean government currently holds effective governance of Dokdo. Koreans take pride in acknowledging Dokdo as our territory. However, if you grab any passerby and ask why that is so, they normally cannot give a full and logical explanation. Then, what do Koreans think about these lonely islets? What does the 'lonely island' mean to us?
First, Koreans obviously think of Dokdo from a passionately territorial perspective. We know that Dokdo is the easternmost territory of the Republic of Korea. Many historical records have already proven that, and it becomes tiring to repeat the proof. History and international law clearly testify that Dokdo can never be Japanese territory.

Second, Koreans also think of Dokdo as a valuable resource. Warm and cold currents meet at Dokdo's waters, making it teem with plankton and creating an excellent fishing ground. There are multiple schools of fish in the clean and plankton-packed waters. Not only fish, but marine algae of all types grow in ample numbers under the cool blue ocean. Other than food sources, there is also a precious undeveloped energy resource deposited underneath the seabed called methane hydrate. It is called 'Burning Ice' and is a type of undefiled energy. The Korean government spends a lot of money importing oil and coal. However, with this alternative energy source the fiscal savings will be huge: the economic value of the methane hydrate comes close to about fifteen trillion won. There is also possibility of oil and natural gas resources buried under the islets, as well. Koreans should not ignore the value of these treasures under the water.

Third, Koreans speak of Dokdo as a symbol of pride and self-respect. People shout that Dokdo is their pride, their lonely islets in the East. The Japanese movement to gain access to Dokdo is stubborn, and shows that they are unable to reflect on the past and understand the truth of the matter. Korea is outraged and cannot hide its fury. Koreans believe that the hypocritical thief should not seize the source of our pride. We know that we should not be tricked into this farcical territorial dispute, but maintain our self-respect. After all, we know that Dokdo is historically, geographically, and lawfully our land. We have nothing to fear from Japan’s empty claims.

Fourth, Koreans think of Dokdo as something to protect. This is the duty of our citizens. Japan is carrying out a sort of 'silent invasion' on our history and territory. It is also claiming that the East Sea is the Sea of Japan, and is manipulating textbooks and maps. This may seem harmless, but if the East Sea becomes Japanese territory, Dokdo and Ulleung-do will become their land too. We must be aware that if we lose the waters, we lose the peninsula. Japan is quietly attempting to seize our land again, but we should hurry to protect it. And indeed we are doing so. The good members of VANK (Voluntary Agency Network of Korea) work to bring awareness to the world. Their main activity is to send emails to correct any wrongly marked maps or materials which either state that Dokdo or the East Sea is Japanese territory. Through these activities, Koreans fulfill their role as the rightful and dedicated protectors of Dokdo.

Fifth, Koreans know the military value of Dokdo. The military boundaries of the Northeastern powers cross at this point. Dokdo is at the center of sea-lanes of the East Sea. Dokdo as well is a place of strategic importance. This notion is proven by the fact that the Korean government has constructed an observation station to provide military information. The station is sending out information related to national security, such as the movements of the Japanese and the North Korean armies, and the pacific flee of Russia.

Dokdo is our pride, our passion, and our past. For those who still do not understand the Dokdo issue correctly, we shall work to fix their perceptions. We define Dokdo as our territory, the site of our rightful resources, and the emblem of self-respect. We will protect it. Even at this time, the youngest member of the East Sea is protecting the Republic of Korea on its own, brightening its lighthouse and waking Korean flag. Let the world know that while Korea stands, the 'lonely islets' will never be alone.