Korean Job Discussion Forums

Bucky · Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 6:08 am Post subject:

It was an issue at one point, and I wasn't "fishing" for it. In fact, it was a student who asked me "Do you know Dokdo? What do you think of it?" point blank in the middle of a class. Happened with "East Sea" too.

Man, was it difficult to get myself out of that without favoring one country over another.

Arthur Dent · Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Location: Kochu whirld

A few weeks ago, in a travel agent shop on Khaosan Road, I glanced at their wall size map and noticed that Sea of Japan had been covered by a small piece of paper which on close inspection was found to read: East Sea.

seonsengnimble · Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:46 pm Post subject:

I'm currently accepting donations for an advertisement in "El Mundo" asking "Conoce El Golfo Sureste?"

nautilus · Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

I prefer not to discuss the issue of Dokdo with anyone, as I don't have a dog in that fight. If I were ever pressed, I'd insist on calling it by the internationally neutral name Liancourt Rocks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liancourt_Rocks).

On the sea lying to the east of Korea, however, I've insisted in every adult class I've ever taught that the English name for it is the Sea of Japan. The East Sea, as far as this American is concerned, can only refer to the Atlantic Ocean.

Kurtz · Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Location: ples bilong me

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

If I have to refer it (which almost never happens,) I usually call it "the sea to the east of Korea." If a Korean brings it up in casual conversation, I just walk away from them.

Dixon · Joined: 30 Dec 2009

tacitus14 · Joined: 10 Nov 2008

I always found the Dokdo debate to be really interesting, interesting as a small glimpse into how Koreans see themselves.

Back a couple of years ago when Japan was making waves about their claim to Dokdo the Korean times ran like a 40 part series on the whole controversy and while about 30 of the articles were the regular garbage there were a few that were really great. The best debates with people that I had were over this misplaced anger at Japan. As far as I know, and I think that the fishing agreement with Japan in 1995 is the evidence, Kim Young-sam basically opened the door for Japan to make their claim. It was a huge diplomacy gaff on his part, yet the anger (at the time) was all directed towards Japan. Even though everyone I talked to knew about what Sam did (or didn't do).

I guess my point is there's a big difference between baiting Koreans and having a real discussion with them about Dokdo. I've never had a problem when actually discussing this topic.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

It seems people on this board are as much riled up by this issue as some Koreans are. Instead of debating this with Koreans, it's just best to keep your mouth shut and nod, and leave it at that.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

It appears there's a small new scandal with this - I had it mentioned to me a few times today.

tacitus14 · Joined: 10 Nov 2008

This is a new one to me. How exactly did Kim Young Sam open the door to Japan's claim on Dokdo?[quote]

When the two countries were setting up the limits of their territories Kim didn't set it at Dok-do, but at Ulleueng-do. This is complicated for a number of reasons. It brings up the whole idea of what are islands vs. islets and stuff like that..yaddie yaddie yadda (look up that stuff on a UN web site). You get like 75 nautical miles past your land that you claim, but it's not really your territory. According to the 1995 agreement Ulleueng-do was the last point of land, but Dokdo is still in that 75 mile range although technically beyond the boundary of Korean territory. That's when Japan got all riled up with their historical b.s., not before. They got to thinking, well if Korea's not going to claim it..