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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 15-Jul-2008
South Korea recalls its Ambassador to Japan over island dispute

Web Log - July, 2008

South Korea recalls its Ambassador to Japan over island dispute

The Korean government warned it would "sternly deal" with any Japanese claim to the disputed Dokdo islands.

The Dokdo/Takeshima islands, located in the East Sea/Sea of Japan <font face=Arial size=-2>(Source: BBC)</font>

The Dokdo/Takeshima islands, located in the East Sea/Sea of Japan (Source: BBC)

Korea's foreign ministry said, "The Korean government makes it clear once again that Dokdo is Korean territory, which is obvious when referring to history, geography and international law. Again, we’ll sternly deal with any attempt to undermine our sovereignty over the islets."

Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda asked South Korea to show more understanding, and to act more calmly. "While we're coming from different positions, we need to overcome these differences and try to understand each other more deeply," Fukuda said.

Japan calls them the Takeshima islands, and says that the body of water they're located in is called the Sea of Japan.
South Korea calls them the Dokdo islands, and says that the body of water they're located in is called the East Sea.

Japan colonized Korea from 1905 until the end of World War II in 1945. In the subsequent international agreements settling the war, the status of these islands was left to be settled at a future date.

Tsk, tsk. If they'd understood generational theory, they would have realized that probably the only way the status would be determined is through another crisis war, 60-70 years later.

In 2005, this issue caused street protests in Seoul. Anti-Japanese feelings are deep in Korea, thanks to the 50-year occupation, and also because Japanese soldiers used Korean women as "comfort women" during World War II. Since then, both sides have made an effort to calm the demonstrations and rhetoric.

The issue flared up again because of a recent decision by the Japanese to mention the dispute in a teacher's guide to middle-school textbooks. The Korean Ambassador to Japan lodged a strong protest with the Japanese Foreign Ministry, and was then "temporarily" recalled home.

If you look at Japan's Foreign Ministry web site, you'll find a wealth of materials -- maps, histories, analyses, video presentations -- to prove Japan's claim to the islands.

If you look at South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade web site, you'll find a similar collection of materials to prove South Korea's claim to the islands.

Take a look at this flash presentation on the Korean web site. It shows various photos of the islands. It's two rocks sticking out of the sea. If you look very, very closely, you'll see a tiny building that someone's built on top of the right-hand rock. The Koreans put that building there to establish their sovereignty.

The disputes contain a lot of nationalistic pride on both sides, but really no one cares much about a couple of rocks. As usual, it's not about anything but money. Whoever owns the islands also owns rich fishing grounds surrounding them, as well as potential gas reserves.

Surging food and oil prices are making populations in both countries anxious and panicky, and neither side wants to lose these riches. However, this dispute will not be settled except by means of a new crisis war. (15-Jul-2008) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 15-Jul-2008 South Korea recalls its Ambassador to Japan over island dispute

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 15-Jul-2008
South Korea recalls its Ambassador to Japan over island dispute