Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Guri Guy]

Dokdo never was Korean land. Japan has evidence that they knew of Takeshima prior to 1905 when they peacefully incorporated it. They have it on maps and other written materials. Korea simply doesn't doesn't have that. Period.

Korea naturally tries to equate Japan's incorporation of Takeshima with an act of war or stealing territory from a colonial victim. This is all a load of crap. Korea knows this and that is precisely why they won't take it the International Court of Justice.They know they would lose.

The only reason they have control of the islets is that they seized them by force when they knew Japan couldn't fight back. Certainly they have possession now but that doesn't make it legal.

However, this is just my opinion. Actually, Gerry Beavers has started a new blog on the Dokdo/Takeshima issue. It has links for Pro-Korean and Pro-Japanese websites so you can check them out too. He's just started it but I think you should find it informative.

http://dokdo-or-takeshima.blogspot.com/

[just alittlecrazy]

I've heard alot about these islands since i've been here. i've had students ask my opinion about who they belong to (& do i hate japanese etc).
The more i heard about them the more i wondered what it was all about. perhaps lush islands, full of natural resources, indigenous population that had been brutally oppressed by the japanese.
so i googled images of them, WTF they just rocks! they're not really big enough to be islands!
www.phon.ucl.ac.uk/home/nick/dokdop.jpg
i think they have the argument backwards. it should be 'you have them' 'no you have them'.

Ok so its more about the history between the two countries than these islands but they really need to pick something better (and worthwhile ) to focus on.

[Ilsanman]

Technically speaking, Takeshima is actually 2 islets. Not even islands.

They are bird shit covered rocks, and they suck, but it comes down to 3 things for Korea.

1) a victory over Japan, which they rarely get.
2) fishing rights for the surrounding area.
3) natural resources in the sea bed.

[just alittlecrazy]

hahaha you're right. i was going to make a comment about how it was insulting to real islands to refer to them as islands.

solution: give them to the UN as a world park. that way the fish can breed there and populate the rest of the sea between japan and korea. (i'm not getting into the east/japan sea thing!). first one to make the offer is the winner!

[contrarian]

Countries frequently, almost invariably lose land after losing a war. Japan started the war, the lost it. There was loss to Russia, China, Korea, and etc. Germany lost, Jordan and/or the Palestinians lost the West Bank.

[Guri Guy]

However when countries lose wars there is generally a peace treaty signed in this day and age where you document the land lost.
This was not done in the case of Takeshima. Korea simply saw their opportunity and seized it. Sneaky, underhanded and their idea of getting revenge against Japan.

[contrarian]

A little revenge was justified, there should have been more.

[Ilsanman]

Yeah, Korea deserves to get revenge for Japan, you know, establishing a school system (there weren't any schools before), building all that infrastructure. and generally bringing civilization to the uncivilized.

[cangel]

Dodko/Takeshima is an excuse. It's an excuse to continue this stupid animosity between the countries. As mentioned, it's a rock. The natural resources of the land and sea in the vicinity will not make of break either nation. So many lingering disputes around the world are based on this exact sort of rubbish.

[Hater Depot]

[Ilsanman]

You know, there are so many simple solutions to this.

1) split it 50/50

2) take it to world court and settle it.

And maybe a few more simple solutions. Leave it to Korea to do things the hard way.

[Ilsanman]

First of all, Japanese are not white men.

Second of all, if Korea wants to tear down all of those buildings, abolish schools, and the like, I welcome them to do it. They can join the equally civilized people of Ethiopia, Niger, and some island in the South Pacific.

[Hater Depot]

[Tjames426]

Japan still has dealing with Russia over occupied islands as well.

...
Mexico is quietly repopulating the old southwest. They might have lost it in the 19th Century. But chances are, they will regain it later this Century or the next.

Russia grabbed pre-WW2 east Poland during the war. They gave Prussia to Poland as compensation. We will see if the ethnic Germans there can repopulate as well.
---

Personally, I find it amusing that Korea has all this hate toward Japan and not China. North Korean is a vitual colony of the PR China. It is not Japan that is hindering the "great" unification of the Korean people...it is China. Yet, I hear virtually nothing against the Chinese Government in the open press.

I did hear that some Southern Koreans have started a "Radio Free Korea" to help free their Northern brethren from isolation and Communism. I also heard the Southern Korean Government is doing what it can to shut it down.

Funny place Korea

[Guri Guy]

Koreans refer to China as "Older brother" and Japan as "Younger brother". Confusionist (sic) style thinking.

If Older brother is stronger or perceived to be better that is ok. However if younger brother does better, that is a source of shame and embarrassment.

Japan colonizing Korea was a complete humiliation for Korea as they lost their independence. Even being China's b*tch (vassal), Koreans could maintain the illusion that they were independent and strong. In reality they were neither.

Japan actually annexing Korea was so damaging to the Korean psyche that they still haven't recovered after over 60 years. That is why they look for petty revenge with issues like Dokdo or the East Sea. Koreans seem to want to fight old wars again or more precisely, actually fight.