In 1955, after the Korean War, Korea was devastated and became one of the poorest countries in the world. There were many kids begging on the street.

After graduating in History from Seoul National University, I flew to France.

I felt a great responsibility as the first Korean woman to study in France.

I had a dream of finding and returning the Oegyujanggak Uigwe to my country. The French army took the Uigwe during the French campaign against Korea (Byeongin Yangyo in Korean).

In 1967 while I was studying history and religion for a doctoral degree in Belgium and at the University of Paris Diderot in France, I got a job offer from the National Library of France.

Finally, I got a chance to search for the Oegyujanggak books. It had been my dream since I left Korea.

While working in the library, I tenaciously searched through old books

Without a break, I looked through all the books in the Division of Oriental Manuscripts at the library.

One book suddenly caught my eye. It was an old book that was categorized as Chinese literature and mixed with unsorted documents.

The book was printed in 1377 during the reign of King Gongmin of Goryeo and sold cheaply to France during the late Korean Empire.

It was Jikji. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
The first volume was missing and the first page of the second volume was gone.

The world’s oldest extant book printed with movable metal type had been totally neglected in this foreign country and mixed with unsorted Chinese documents. 

At the time, France had no idea about its value.

My research proved that Jikji is the oldest book printed with metal type.

Suddenly, after the long period of neglect, France categorized Jikji as a valuable record and started protecting it as if Jikji was its own heritage.

My hands started shaking and my eyes started tearing up in sorrow. However, I didn’t have time to dwell on the emotion.

I had to find more documentary heritage that might be neglected somewhere else. I began searching for the Oegyujanggak Uigwe that was taken by France in the 19th century.

In 1975, I finally discovered 297 volumes of the Oegyujanggak Uigwe.  

I ran to the Korean embassy in France to inform them of my discovery. There is an enormous amount of documentary heritage from the Joseon dynasty at the National Library of France.

However, I faced a frustrating reality.

At the time, the Korean government had little interest in retrieving its cultural properties.  

My discovery seemed to be an annoying burden for embassy employees.

My colleagues at the library also seemed to be displeased with me. 

From their perspective, I abused my position as a librarian at the national library and tried to take away their property. 

From that point on, I was continuously pressured to resign.

I had to give up all I had achieved. The only thing that sustained me was the pride of what I did for my country that produced such great documentary heritage.

I eventually resigned, but continued on with my research at the library, despite the fierce glares of my old colleagues. For the next ten years, as an ordinary library visitor, I reviewed the Oegyujanggak books, translated them, and organized the table of contents.

It was a lonely and difficult time. However, I reminded myself of the excitement I had in 1967 when I found and eventually proved that Jikji is the world’s oldest extant book printed with movable metal type.

If I had given up on the challenge, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to present my finding to international scholars that Jikji was printed in 1377, which is 78 years before the printing of Gutenberg’s 42-line Bible.

I also urged the Korean government and academia to make more of an effort to retrieve its documentary heritage.

In June of 2011, it had been 56 years since I started dreaming of finding and returning Oegyujanggak books to Korea.  Finally, the Oegyujanggak Uigwe returned to Korea.

It was a homecoming 145 years after it left the country.

At age 89, I lay in a hospital bed and couldn’t even eat. I still felt like I had a lot to do for my country.

Around five months passed after the return of the Oegyujanggak books to Korea.
Now I have become a member of heaven.

Jikji still couldn’t make its return home.
However, I am ready to rest.

I believe in my country and the people. They will retrieve Jikji, which made me feel proud of my country even during its poorest days. 

Eventually, Jikji will also be returned to Korea.

There are things that I couldn’t finish during my lifetime.
However, I know that future generations of my country will carry on the work.  

Number of Korean cultural properties remaining outside the country: around 74,000

Considering that there are privately owned and untraceable properties, the actual number can be much higher. For the last 60 years, the Korean government has retrieved around 5,000 cultural properties that were scattered around the world.

Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK)

VANK urges young Koreans to build friendships and interact with foreign students and teachers around the world.

VANK members are persuading their foreign friends that Korean cultural properties contain our spirit and that those in foreign countries must be returned.  

 Korean cultural properties are our treasures that reflect our history.

We consider the retrieval of our cultural properties as our responsibility to history.

As people of a powerful country that respect culture and pursue general human values, we have the responsibility and right to retrieve our cultural properties.

Each country has the right to possess its cultural properties that were taken away illegitimately.

The Second World War (1939 – 1945)
The war that caused the largest number of causalities and most property damage in world history

Two countries were particularly responsible for these tragedies.

Germany and Japan 

Lebensraum (living space)
Adolf Hitler believed that the living space of the German people was too small, and so Germany needed to acquire more space in the East.

Hitler started a war to secure and expand German living space.

With this objective, Germany took the lives of many innocent people. 

Dai Toa Kyoeiken (The Greater East Asia, Co-Prosperity Sphere)
“A bloc of Asian nations led by the Japanese and free of the Western powers”

Japan started a war to establish co-prosperity and a new order in Asia.

With this objective, Japan justified its aggression and oppressed the people in its colonies.

The imperialistic ambition of these two countries caused the worst tragedies in world history.

The Holocaust
Cruel ethnic cleansing
The systematic genocide of six million Jews by Nazi Germany

Like Germany, Japan also committed many cruel war crimes.

Comfort Women
Over 200 thousand young Asian women were used as Japanese military sex slaves.

Nanjing Massacre (1937)
Around 300 thousand Chinese people were murdered during the Sino-Japanese War.

Unit 731 in Harbin
Around three thousand war prisoners were used for human experimentations by Unit 731.

Forced Labor
Around 7.25 million people were forced to work in harsh environments.

Numerous people suffered from Japanese imperialism.

The number of casualties in WWII
Military dead: 25 million
Civilian dead: 30 million

The war ended in the victory of the Allied forces.

Regardless of the outcome, the war left lasting wounds.

The two countries that inflicted such pain and suffering
Germany and Japan

However, there is a difference between the two countries.
Responsibility for past wrongdoing

In October 1946, the Nuremberg Trials were held in post-war Germany.

Twelve war criminals, including Hermann Goering, went sentenced to death by hanging, three received life in prison, and four others received over 10 years in prison. 

In October 1953, a federal law was enacted to compensate Nazi victims.

The law eliminated the statute of limitations on Nazi war crimes.

An ex-Nazi SS member, Heinrich Boere, was a killer who fled from the Netherlands to Germany in 1947, but he was eventually arrested.

In March 2010, he was given a life sentence for the crimes he committed in 1944.

On the other hand, Japan took an entirely different direction.

Japan insists that all war compensation was settled through the Treaty of San Francisco.

Emperor Hirohito and his family assumed no responsibility because they were given immunity from prosecution.

Ishii Shiro, the commander of Unit 731, and all members of his unit were acquitted and released.

In 1953, the Japanese Parliament concluded that there were no longer any war criminals in Japan.

Through this resolution, class-A war criminals were able to gain power in Japanese politics.

Japanese politicians have repeatedly made statements that deny their imperialistic atrocities.

Such remarks are constantly rubbing salt into the old wounds of war victims.

Germany and Japan have taken contrasting approaches to the war compensation issue.

Germany
Germany apologized for its war crimes and made a law to compensate forced laborers.

Around 8 million victims of forced labor can be compensated, regardless of their nationality.

The German government and companies also established the foundation “Remembrance, Responsibility and Future.”

The foundation was established to compensate former forced laborers throughout Europe.

Since its establishment, around 1.67 million people received a total of EUR 4.5 billion.

Japan
Japan asks, “We’ve already reflected on our past. How much more should we do?”

Japan has never officially recognized the existence of comfort women.

Many countries have asked Japan for compensation, but have received little response.

Many forced labor-related lawsuits are currently pending.

Japanese companies, such as Mitsubishi and Sumitomo, benefited from Korean forced laborers.

Instead of apologizing, they sponsor organizations that distort history in textbooks.

Such actions have exacerbated conflicts between Japan and other countries.

Remembrance of the past …
Even in the ways they record history, the two countries have taken different paths.

German history textbooks
Germany forbids any statements that do the following. 
- Promote conflict with or discrimination of other races
- Glorify aggressive wars or disparage other countries.

However, the twelve year history of Nazi Germany takes up around 30% of German modern history education.

Germany educates its students to not repeat their tragic history.

Japanese history textbooks
Japan restricts the use of the word “invasion” in textbooks. 

Japan tries to minimize the history of its colonization and aggressive wars.
It even justifies or glorifies the causes for its aggression.

Japan educates its students that the emperor and the people were victims of military policies.

Fusosha history textbook (2005 edition)
“There were no comfort women in Japanese history”

“Korea, China and Russia are claiming sovereignty over Takeshima, Senkaku Island, and Kuril Island respectively.”

“However, these islands are all Japanese territories both legally and historically.” 

Japan has constantly denied its past and shown no regret for its past atrocities.

Instead, it claims sovereignty over territories that it took during their imperialistic activities.
 
For this reason, Japan is constantly in conflict with other Asian countries.

Germany built a memorial to commemorate war victims.

The Holocaust Memorial occupies about 19,000 square meters in the center of the capital of Berlin.

The memorial was dedicated to the 5.5 million Holocaust victims.

In contrast, Japan enshrined class-A war criminals in the Yasukuni shrine in the capital of Tokyo.

Influential Japanese politicians visit the shrine to worship.

Japanese people wear the old military uniform and start marching in the shrine.

During the march, they hold the Rising Sun Flag in their hands.

Japan is even promoting the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard, the site of forced labor.

It argues that the shipyard has significant value as the first large shipyard in the East.

Japan is now attempting to register this shipyard as a UNESCO world heritage site.

However, Japan hides the fact that Mitsubishi confined people on Hashima Island, then known as the prison island.

Over 800 Koreans were forced to work in coal mines on the island.  

Japanese imperialism is the root of many conflicts in Northeast Asia.

Sovereignty disputes over Dokdo, the Diaoyu Island, and the Kuril Islands
Compensation issues for military sex slaves and forced laborers
Distortions of history

Nearly 70 years have passed since the end of the war.
However, the wounds from the war have yet to heal.

Here we speak to the Japanese and to the world.

Many Asian countries suffered from Japanese imperialism.

Despite Japan’s efforts to distort the truth, history won’t change.

However, Japan’s self-reflection and apologies will lead Asia to a peaceful future.
 
Japan was the offender in the tragic war.

However, Japan also has the key to resolving historical conflicts and creating peace in Asia.

Japan can learn a lesson from Germany, who was on the same path as Japan.

Germany started the tragic war and destroyed world peace.

However, Germany took full responsibility for its past and made sincere apologies.

Germany is now at the center of European unity and prosperity.

Forgetfulness leads to exile. Remembrance is the secret of redemption.
- From an epitaph at the Yad Vashem Museum

Remember the past and learn from mistakes.

Make a commitment to not repeat the mistakes.

That is how Japan contributes to peace in Asia and the world.

Korea was the first victim of Japanese imperialism.

The Korean people are still recovering from the wounds of imperialism.

However, we will continue to move forward.

Please help us create peace in Asia.

Dokdo Yellow Card: Young Koreans’ yellow cards for Japan’s 10 false claims about Dokdo 

Internationally loved sport
Football

International sports festival
The World Cup

The World Cup used to be held only in Europe and South America. In 1970, Mexico became its first host on a third continent, which was the start of the real globalization of the World Cup.

However, there is another reason that world sports fans remember this world cup.

Two cards in referees’ hands

A yellow card and a red card
- Inventor: Kenneth George Aston
- Purpose: To ensure fair and safe play by allowing referees to use the cards for offences against rules or sportsmanship. 

When a player receives two yellow cards or one red card, the player must leave the game.

We are on a common playing field called “the international community.”
This community is working together to maintain peace and order. 

Japan is committing an offence with its claims of sovereignty over Dokdo. 

Young Koreans have prepared 10 yellow cards for Japan’s so-called “10 Issues of Takeshima.”

Here we will present these 10 yellow cards one by one.

These cards are to give a warning to Japan about their false claims. 

——————————————
Japan’s 10 Issues of Takeshima (Dokdo)
Vs.
Young Koreans’ 10 yellow cards
——————————————

Our First Yellow Card
“There is no evidence that the ROK has long recognized the existence of Takeshima?!?”

This is definitely false!

In good weather, Dokdo is clearly visible from Ulleungdo.  

Ever since people started living in Ulleungdo, Koreans have recognized Dokdo.

Many ancient maps of Korea marked Dokdo with its old name of Usando.  

This is the evidence that Korea has long recognized the existence of Dokdo.

Our Second Yellow Card
“Japan has long recognized the existence of Takeshima?”

This is also false!

Japan presents “the Revised Complete Map of Japanese Lands and Roads” as its evidence.

However, the first edition of this map left Dokdo uncolored, unlike the other parts of Japanese territory. Also, Dokdo was drawn outside of the grid of latitude and longitude lines.

It shows that Japan recognized Dokdo as an area outside of its territory.

Our Third Yellow Card
“Japan established its sovereignty over Takeshima by the mid-17th century?”

Another false claim!

“The Oki Island marks the northwestern boundary of Japan”
From an old Japanese document, “Records on Observations in Oki Province”

This document shows that Japan itself excluded Dokdo from its territory.

Our Fourth Yellow Card
“At the end of the 17th century, Japan prohibited passage of ships to Utsuryo (Ulleungdo) Island, but not to Takeshima (Dokdo).”

An absurd and false claim!

At the time, Japan considered Dokdo an islet attached to Ulleungdo, as indicated in a document from the Otani Family.

Japan thus didn’t even see a need to mention Dokdo.

Our Fifth Yellow Card
“The deposition by Ahn Yong-Bok contains many points that conflict with factual evidence.”

False!
The deposition was based both on Korean and Japanese documents.

Takeshima Kiji
Takeshima Tokai Yuraiki Basho Hikae
Inpu Nenpyo
Takeshima Ko

All these Japanese documents recorded Ahn’s passage to and activities in Japan. 

Our Sixth Yellow Card
“Japan reaffirmed its intention to claim sovereignty over Takeshima by incorporating Takeshima into Shimane Prefecture in 1905.”

Contradictory!

In 1905 during the Russo-Japanese War, Japan forcibly incorporated Dokdo into Japan to use it as a logistics base.

Japan’s reasoning for the incorporation at the time of the decision:
Takeshima is an unclaimed land, and thus incorporate it into the jurisdiction of Japan.

Suddenly, Japan changed its argument.
Japan has established the sovereignty of Takeshima since the beginning of the Edo Period, and we are now only reaffirming our sovereignty.

If Japan has long established its sovereignty over Dokdo, it is a contradiction that it later considered Dokdo an unclaimed land.

This shows that Japan eventually realized its own contradiction and changed its argument.

A document issued in 1877 by the Daijokan, then the highest administrative body:
Be assured that either Ulleungdo or Dokdo has no relation to Japan.

Just from this statement, Japan’s claim of reaffirming its sovereignty over Dokdo makes no sense.

Our Seventh Yellow Card
“In the drafting process of the Treaty of Peace with Japan, the United States rejected the request by the ROK that Takeshima be added to the relevant article of the Treaty as one of the areas which Japan would renounce, asserting that Takeshima had been under the jurisdiction of Japan.”

False!

The draft of this treaty had a different perspective until November 1949.

It initially acknowledged Dokdo as a Korean territory.

However, in December, it omitted its mention of Dokdo due to Japanese lobbying.

As a peninsula country, Korea has many small islands and islets.

However, this document omitted the names of islands that are even bigger than Dokdo.

Nevertheless, all these islands and islets still belong to Korea.

Using this document for its justification is quite absurd.

Our Eighth Yellow Card
“In 1952, Takeshima was designated as one of the areas for maritime exercises and training for the U.S. Forces stationed in Japan, which shows that Takeshima was treated as part of the territory of Japan.”

False!

Dokdo was a major fishing area for Korean fishermen.

However, Japan found a way to make its claim of sovereignty over Dokdo.

Japan influenced the U.S. decision to use Dokdo as a bombing range for the U.S. Forces.

It caused significant damage to Korean fishermen working around Dokdo.

If Dokdo was its territory, Japan would have put more effort into protecting local fishermen.

It probably wouldn’t have let the U.S. forces harm the beautiful natural environment of Dokdo.

Our Ninth Yellow Card
“The ROK is illegally occupying Takeshima?”

False!

Korea had established its sovereignty over Dokdo long before Japan incorporated it into Shimane Prefecture in 1905.

After Japan’s surrender in WWII, Korea regained its national sovereignty.

Since then, Korea has legitimately exercised its sovereignty over Dokdo.

Every year, over 100 thousand tourists visit Dokdo from Korea.

Our Tenth Yellow Card
“Although Japan proposed to the ROK that the dispute over Takeshima be referred to the International Court of Justice, the ROK rejected this proposal?!?”

Nonsense!

Dokdo has long been a Korean territory, except for the short period of time when Korea lost its national sovereignty to Japan.

There is absolutely no reason for us to take this issue to the International Court of Justice.

It may only make the wrong impression that Korea has not established its sovereignty.

It will only create the wrong image of Dokdo as a contested region between Korea and Japan. That is actually Japan’s intention behind the proposal.

Japan is illegitimately promoting Dokdo as a Japanese territory.
 
This only proves that Japan still lives with its imperialistic ambitions. It is against our common goal of peaceful coexistence.

Japan continues to make and promote false claims.
Some are outright lies! 

We should take action!
We have these yellow cards based on historical facts and logic.

Someday, the international community will recognize our effort to protect peace in Northeast Asia. 

It will support our side.

We use our yellow cards under the fair play rules.

Our yellow cards are shields to protect world peace against the revival of neo-imperialism.

VANK is looking for young Koreans who will correct wrong information about Korea.

Together we will protect Dokdo.

Dokdo itself says who it belongs to, Korea.

Dokdo symbolizes a sad part of our history and the center of our deep desire for peace. 

The heart of Korea, the owner of these yellow cards 

Be proud! That’s you.

Have you heard of Operation Fox Hunt?
It involves a tragedy that happened in Korea.

It was about 120 years ago.

A queen of Korea was brutally assassinated.
The assassin was hired by the Japanese government.

The Eulmi Incident (1895)
Murder of Queen Myeongseong

Japan wanted to reinforce its influence on the Korean peninsula.

For this purpose, Japanese Consul Miura Goro masterminded the murder of the queen.

Japan called this secret plan “Operation Fox Hunt.”

Japan considered Queen Myeongseong to be the biggest obstacle to its annexation of Korea.

Japan killed the queen to eliminate the obstacle.

The queen tried to inform the world about Japan’s plan to incorporate Korea.

She wanted to protect Korea by appealing to the international community.

She used all her international connections.

The queen did more than diplomats in raising global awareness of the situation in Korea.

There were some foreigners who watched her closely.
The following will show how they assessed her qualities.

“She was well informed about international politics. She was a competent diplomat, who was exceptional at proving the weaknesses of the opposition.”

The queen disapproved of Japan. She was also patriotic and devoted to serving the country.

She was not like other queens in Asia.
- Mrs. Lillias Horton Underwood, the wife of Missionary Horace G. Underwood

“The queen was ambitious, brilliant and shrewd. She was very charming and lovely in many aspects.”
- Mrs. Isabella Bird Bishop

“The queen was a well-read, intelligent and strong-willed woman.”

“She was an exceptional politician and diplomat, who devoted her life to Joseon’s independence.”
- Mr. William Franklin Sands, US diplomat to Korea

For the Japanese government, Queen Myeongseong was undoubtedly the biggest obstacle.

They referred to her as an old fox, and made an assassination plan named “Operation Fox Hunt.”

On October 8, 1895, twenty Japanese assassins snuck into the Gyeongbokgung Palace.

They used their swords to kill the queen and mutilate her body.

They burned her body near the Hyangwonjeong Pavilion.

The queen’s murder shocked and angered the people of Korea.

After her death, Japan accelerated their diplomatic efforts to justify their annexation plan.

Japan intensively lobbied the world powers.

The Taft-Katsura Agreement
A secret agreement reached in 1905 between Japan and the United States

The U.S. agreed to Japan’s dominance over Korea in return for Japan’s support of U.S. rule over the Philippines.

The Treaty of Portsmouth
A treaty signed in September 1905 between Japan and Russia

Russia agreed to Japan’s control of Korea.

Japanese imperialism left deep scars in the minds of Korean people. 

Japan left another lasting scar on the Korean peninsula.

Japan’s incorporation of Dokdo

On February 8, 1904, Japan launched a project to remove Russia’s influence from Korea.

Japan waged the Russo-Japanese War to strengthen Japan’s control over Korea.

Japan threatened the Joseon court to support their war.

Japan coerced Korea into signing a protocol that gave Japan the right to use Korean territory for military purposes.

Japan soon recognized the military strategic value of Dokdo.

“Now is the time to initiate the annexation of Korea.”
“Dokdo is in a great strategic location to establish a watchtower and install radio or submarine cables to detect the movements of enemy ships.
- Yamaza Enjiro, Director of the Political Affairs Bureau, Japan 

Japan decided to incorporate Dokdo to use it as a logistics base.

On February 22, 1905, the Shimane Prefecture issued Public Notice #40.

By doing so, Japan incorporated Dokdo.

They defeated the Russian fleet and won the war.

The incorporation of Dokdo was only the beginning of Japan’s imperialistic activities.

In November 1905, Japan forced Korea to sign the Eulsa Protectorate Treaty and took away Korea’s diplomatic rights.

Five years later, in 1910, Japan colonized Korea.

Exploitation of resources
Slaughter of civilians
Forced conscriptions
Military sex slaves (“comfort women”)
Torture and abuse

Until independence in 1945, Korean people were scarred and deeply wounded.

Japan attempted to suppress Korean national identity.

Koreans were forced to change their surnames to Japanese names.

Schools were forced to teach Japanese instead of Korean.

Japan also distorted Korean history to destroy its national identity. 

Japan tried to brainwash Korean people into believing the justification of the annexation.

The Manchurian Incident in 1931
The Sino-Japanese War in 1937
The Pacific War in 1941

Japan sent young Korean men to battle to fulfill its imperialistic ambition.

As the war became unfavorable, Japan made them into suicide bombers, the Kamikaze.

Korea’s natural resources were taken to be used as war supplies.

Korean people were made into soldiers and slaves.

The entire peninsula became a logistics base for Japanese wars.

The incorporation of Dokdo was the beginning of all this suffering.

For Koreans, sovereignty over Dokdo is not just about a small island.

In the 1900s, many Asian countries suffered from imperialism.

Korea was also deprived of its sovereignty and history.
Dokdo is a symbol of the full recovery of our national sovereignty.

“Japan will be expelled from all other territories which she has taken by violence and greed.”
- Cairo Declaration (November 27, 1943)

Japan’s surrender in 1945
Japan promised to acknowledge that Korea shall be free and independent.

In the Potsdam Declaration, Japan agreed to implement the Cairo Declaration.

On January 29, 1946, the Supreme Commander for Allied Powers issued SCAPIN 677.

This document commanded Japan to abandon its administrative authority over Dokdo.  

Japan shall recognize the independence of Korea, renounce all right, title and claim to Korea, including Jejudo, Geomundo and Ulleungdo. 
- The Treaty of San Francisco (1951)

The international community clearly recognized that Dokdo is a Korean territory.

Over 60 years have passed since the independence of Korea.

Japan is again claiming sovereignty over Dokdo.

This indicates that Japan is still trying to deny Korea’s full independence and sovereignty.

Japan is asking for rights to a territory that it took by force during its imperial period.

Thus, Japan’s claim over Dokdo is the same as its justification of its imperialistic history.

In Dokdo, there is a special rock in the shape of the Korean peninsula.
This rock, called Korea Rock, indicates who Dokdo belongs to.

For Koreans, Dokdo symbolizes the independence of Korea.

After the incorporation of Dokdo in 1905, Korea lost its sovereignty and all of its rights.

During the Japanese occupation, many innocent lives were lost.

The Japanese Occupation Period left unforgettable scars on the Korean people.
Japan is now making aggressive moves to claim sovereignty over Dokdo.

Reinforcing the imperialistic past is like moving history backward.

This is the very reason why Koreans cannot tolerate Japan’s claim over Dokdo.

VANK is here with its 100 thousand Korean members.
 
Our goal is to prevent tragedies such as what happened to us. 

This is why we are promoting Dokdo to the world.

Historically, geographically and legally, Dokdo is undoubtedly a Korean territory.

Protecting Dokdo is our effort to protect peace in Asia.

About 120 years ago …

Imperialism was sweeping through the world.

The Japanese government was armed with superior military power.

Japan went after Korea’s diplomatic rights.

It began lobbying the Western powers and laying the groundwork.

In 1895, Japan killed Empress Myeongseong.

The queen actively engaged in diplomatic activities to protect Korea.

In 1904, Japan forced Korea to sign a protocol to use Korea as a logistics base.

In the same year, Japan also forced Korea to sign “the Japan-Korea Agreement” to allow Japanese intervention in Korea’s domestic affairs.

Japan took further action to suppress the influence of world opinion on its military campaign against Korea.
 
Japan waged the Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War.

With its victory in both wars, Japan increased its influence over Korea.

In 1905, Japan coerced Emperor Gojong and the cabinet into signing the Eulsa Protectorate Treaty.

Japan deprived Korea of its diplomatic rights and recalled Korean diplomats.

Despite Japan’s pressure, Gojong secretly engaged in diplomatic activities.

Have you heard of the Special Korean envoys to The Hague?

Special envoys to The Hague
In 1907, Gojong appointed Yi Jun, Yi Sang-Seol and Yi Wi-Jong to a secret delegation.

The delegation had to bypass Japan’s surveillance.

The mission of the delegation was to attend the Second Hague Peace Conference in the Netherlands.

It was Gojong’s desperate attempt to expose the illegitimacy of the Eulsa Protectorate Treaty to the world.

For the crucial mission, the delegation travelled far to get to the Netherlands.

The Peace Conference was an event for world leaders to gather to discuss peace.

Gojong hoped the delegation would get a chance to appeal to the world.

His goal was to reveal that the Eulsa Protectorate Treaty was forced upon him against his will.

He wanted to invalidate the treaty by exposing the illegitimacy of the process.

The delegation made every effort to attend the conference as representatives of Korea. 

They asked many other national leaders for help.

Japan soon noticed their efforts and began sabotaging the delegation. 

The conference accepted Japan’s position that Korea no longer had diplomatic rights.

The delegation was rejected for admission and the right to speak at the conference.

Following the rejection, they sent letters to the delegates of each nation to prove their position as qualified delegates.

On July 9, they managed to attend a press conference hosted by British journalist William T. Stead.

There they made a speech, “A Plea for Korea.”

They described the wrongdoing of Japan and the situation in Korea, and many foreign media covered their story.

However, world politics was dominated by imperialistic powers.
They failed to gain concrete results.

During their efforts, Yi Jun suddenly died on July 14.

The rest of the delegation grieved the loss.

Their mission ended in failure.

Japan accused Gojong of sending a delegation without their permission.

On July 19, 1907, Japan deposed Gojong.

On August 22, 1910, Japan created the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty, which officially turned Korea into a colony.

Korea became a logistics base to support the Japanese invasion of other Asian countries. 
Special envoys to The Hague
Their failure did not just end with Korea’s loss of sovereignty.

The Manchurian Incident (1931)
The Sino-Japanese War (1937)
The Pacific War (1941)

Japan took the lives of many innocent people in other countries, using Korea as its base.

The efforts of the Hague delegation slowly faded into the shadows of history.

However, there still are 21st century Hague special envoys.

On September 26, 2012, Japanese Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko delivered a speech to the United Nations General Assembly.

In his speech, he attempted to gain international support for their position on Dokdo and the Diaoyu Island.

He argued for the need for cooperation on these territorial issues.

Specifically, he asked to bring the issues to the International Court of Justice.

The Prime Minister, as the representative of Japan, asserted his opinion on its territorial right over Dokdo in an international public sphere.

That is an utter denial of Korea’s complete independence and sovereignty.

Even before the annexation of Korea, Japan took control of Dokdo in 1905.

For Koreans, Dokdo is a symbol of the Japanese colonial rule that soon followed. 

Japan’s claim over Dokdo is not a simple denial of Korea’s full sovereignty.

It also means the revival of Japan’s imperialism in the 21st century.

Please help us inform the world that Dokdo is a symbol of Japanese imperialism.

You can be a 21st century Hague special envoy.  

Do you know there are 21st century Hague special envoys even in Japan?

Nobel literature laureate Kenzaburo Oe and 1,270 Japanese intellectuals

On September 28, 2012, they made a civic statement.

“To the Korean people, Dokdo is a symbol of Japanese aggression and colonial rule … Japan should reflect on its historical issues.”

“Japan annexed Dokdo at a time when Korea was the weakest and had no way to make a diplomatic demand.”

“The people of Japan must understand that Dokdo is not simply an island to Korea, but a starting point and symbol for invasion and colonial rule.”

They called on the Japanese government to seriously reflect on its annexation of Dokdo.

Japanese novelist Murakami Haruki also made a public remark on September 28 in the Asahi Newspaper.

“In the 1930s, Adolf Hitler solidified the basis for his power by trumpeting the recovery of lost territory.”

“We are aware what outcome this brought about.”

“We should not let territorial issues block people’s interaction.”

Murakami recognizes that Japan’s claim of sovereignty over Dokdo dampens its cultural exchanges with other Asian countries.

As these examples indicate, there are Japanese people who understand the importance of Japan’s self-reflection on history.

Like the Korean special envoys to The Hague in the 1900s, they are trying to remind the Japanese people of Japan’s past aggression toward Asia.

There are 21st century Hague special envoys even in Europe, opposing the revival of Japanese imperialism.

“Japan’s claim over Dokdo can only be seen as a form of expansionism.”
- El Mundo, a leading Spanish daily newspaper (September 25, 2012)

“Conflict over Dokdo is rooted in deeper issues.”

“Japan has never fully taken responsibility for its wrongdoings against Korea.”
- L’Express, French weekly news magazine

“Japan’s reluctance to reflect on history plays an important role in its territorial disputes with China and Korea.”

“Japan, like Germany, was the aggressor in the Second World War. It should carefully reflect on its war history.”
- Deutschlandradio, a German public radio broadcaster

“There is a real reason behind Japan’s repeated conflicts with its neighbors.”

“Japan has never made an effort to face up to its wartime crimes.”
- Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), a German center-left newspaper

“Japan has shown no leadership in Asia.”

“It has also been seen to behave with a stunning lack of conscience of its past atrocities.”
- A letter to Financial Times (UK) by Dr. Jean-Pierre Lehmann

Many major media outlets are speaking up like 21st century Hague special envoys.

They all criticize the revival of Japanese imperialism.

Of course, there are 21st century Hague special envoys in Korea.

As in October 2012, VANK has 100 thousand Korean members.

Our mission is to train them to be 21st century Hague special envoys to stop the revival of Japanese imperialism.

We hope they will act as peacemakers and lead historical reconciliation in Asia.

Exploitation of resources
Slaughter of civilians
Forced conscriptions
Military sex slaves (“comfort women”)
Torture and abuse

The incorporation of Dokdo was only the beginning of many other tragedies.

We should stop the revival of Japanese imperialism that has already taken numerous innocent lives.

Our primary goal is to lead reconciliation and keep the peace in Asia. 

Here, VANK speaks to the 7 billion people of the world.

Dokdo is a symbol of Japanese imperialism.

We will work hard to prevent the repeat of such tragedies in the world.

We will promote the fact that Dokdo is not just a small part of Korean territory, but also a symbol of our national pride. 

It will take time to fully recover from the damage that was caused during the Japanese occupation, but we will succeed.

Many Asian countries, like Korea, are still suffering from the lingering legacy of imperialism.

The history of imperialism is the deep root of many territorial and historical conflicts in Asia.

Young Koreans pursue becoming peacemakers for peace in Asia.

We will lead Asia to the path of peace.

Together, we will build lasting peace in the world. 

Warm rocks in the sunshine
Beautiful oceans with many species of fish

We love Dokdo.
 
We used to live in the East Sea and swim around Dokdo.
There were 30 to 50 thousand of us!

However, the Japanese occupation changed our lives. 

We are Dokdo sea lions.
All of us died out forever.

We were the biggest and brightest sea lions in the world.

We were never afraid of the gunfire of Japanese fishermen.

We tore out of the net when those fishermen tried to capture us. 

We sometimes attacked the Japanese boats that were crossing over the East Sea.

So, the Japanese were afraid of us showing up.

We were brave and strong. 
How did we end up disappearing from the East Sea?

In 1910, Japan officially took over Korea.

However, Dokdo was violated even before that time.

In 1905, Japan forcibly incorporated Dokdo.

A Japanese fisherman, Nakai Yozaburo, made a fortune hunting sea lions.

Driven by greed, he wanted to ensure a monopoly over fishing rights around Dokdo.

Nakai petitioned the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs to incorporate Dokdo.

However, his petition was rejected because of a Japanese document.

“Ulleungdo and its affiliated island have no relation to Japan.”
- From a Daijokan (Grand Council of State) directive (1877)

However, Japan suddenly changed its position during the Russo-Japanese War.

Japan needed a strategic military outpost to defeat the Russian fleet.

Dokdo was the perfect place to fight the Russians.

Japan certainly knew that Dokdo belonged to Korea.

Despite that clear fact, Japan took control of Dokdo.
It also granted exclusive fishing rights to Nakai Yozaburo

Using Ulleungdo and Dokdo, Japan managed to defeat the Baltic Fleet.

Nakai Yozaburo was empowered to catch sea lions at will.

Dokdo was the first Korean territory to face the emerging Japanese imperialism.

Sea lions were the first Korean victims to suffer from Japanese imperialism.

Japanese fishermen used baby sea lions as bait to catch mother sea lions.

When mother sea lions tried to save their babies, the fishermen captured them.

They sold the skins of mother sea lions to bag manufacturers.

Baby sea lions were sold to circuses.

Japanese fishermen captured 14 thousand sea lions over 8 years beginning in 1905.

Indiscriminate fishing changed the color of the East Sea from blue to brown. 

In less than a half century, Dokdo sea lions became extinct.

The extinction of the Dokdo sea lions foreshadowed the looming fate of the Korean people.

Soon, Japan annexed Korea and took the lives of many innocent people.

To threaten Korean freedom fighters, Japan used their families.

They took the families hostage and killed them, just like they killed the sea lions.

Korean men were forcibly sent to battlefields.

Young Korean girls were forced to serve as military sex slaves.

1910 ~ 1945
The number of Korean nationals forced into military and labor services:
About 5 million on record 

Among them, over 3 million died during their service.

Their bodies were left on the streets.

Japan was determined to become a part of the imperial powers and dominate Asia.

Starting with the incorporation of Dokdo, Japan took many innocent lives in Korea.

Japan claims that it has established sovereignty over Dokdo.

Japan bases its claim on the activities of the greedy fisherman.

On April 2010

Japan started teaching its students that Dokdo is a Japanese territory.
It is purposively hiding the fact that Japan forcibly took control of Dokdo.
 
Japan continues to claim sovereignty over Dokdo, using a false version of history.

This is not a simple threat to Korean territory.

The incorporation of Dokdo and the slaughter of its sea lions were only the beginning of Japanese imperialism.
 
Japan’s claim of sovereignty over Dokdo signals the revival of its imperialistic ambitions.

It is a threat to world peace.

Can you please remember us?

You cannot see us around Dokdo anymore.

But please don’t let our death be in vain.
 
We must protect Dokdo to protect peace in Korea and the world.

The tragedy of Dokdo started with the greed of a Japanese fisherman.

The imperialistic ambition of a country took away numerous innocent lives, land, and history.

Please let our story be heard
in Dokdo,
in Korea,
and around the world.

We must take action to stop the imperialistic activities of Japan. 

Japan is again making a move on Dokdo and pursuing its old imperialistic ambitions.

We must reveal the truth behind their false claims.

We must let them know that the international community is no longer controlled by force.

A common desire for justice and peace is now our strongest force.

Let’s build a fair and peaceful world together!

Please help us eliminate this lingering imperialism, the tragedy of humanity.

Peace is our common drive.

World Peace Starts Here, with YOU!

Known as a gateway city of Korea
“Incheon”

Incheon was forced to open its port by the western powers in the late 19th century.

Sadly, it later turned into a battlefield between foreign powers. 

A small island in the East Sea at the eastern end of Korea
“Dokdo”

Dokdo was the first Korean territory that was affected by Japanese imperialism

It has a painful history of being used as a logistics base for Japan.  

The two faraway places of Incheon and Dokdo share a commonality.
They both carry the traces of the Japanese Occupation Period.

The Korean people tend to show a strong reaction to the Dokdo issue.

Koreans have a special attachment to Dokdo.

What makes Dokdo more special than any other islands in Korea?

Here we will give answers to the 9 most frequently asked questions about Dokdo.

1. What does Dokdo mean to the Korean people?
“Dokdo”
An island at the eastern end of Korea

Dokdo is close to another Korean island, Ulleungdo.
In good weather, it is clearly visible to the naked eye from Ulleungdo.  

Dokdo is home to various species of ocean life.

Korea has been legitimately exercising its sovereignty over Dokdo.

Korean police and military personnel protect the airspace and waters around Dokdo.

Korean national laws are being enforced on Dokdo.

There are also official Korean residents on Dokdo.

Each year, over 130 thousand Korean tourists visit Dokdo.

Under international law, Dokdo undoubtedly belongs to Korea. 

The Japanese Occupation Period (1910 – 1945)

Japan took control of Dokdo even before its annexation of Korea.

Nearly 70 years have passed since the independence of Korea.

Japan is still claiming sovereignty over Dokdo. 

With its beautiful natural environment, Dokdo gives happiness to the Korean people.

At the same time, it conjures up the painful memories of Japanese colonial rule.

To the Korean people, Dokdo is a symbol of their independence and sovereignty.

That is why Koreans have a special attachment to Dokdo.

2. When and why did Japan take over Dokdo?

Japan recognized the strategic value of Dokdo in 1904 during the Russo-Japanese War.

“Dokdo is in a great strategic location to establish a watchtower and install radio or submarine cables to detect the movements of enemy ships.”
- Yamaza Enjiro, Director of the Political Affairs Bureau, Japan 

Japan began attempting to incorporate Dokdo in order to defeat the Russian fleet.

In 1904, Japan forced Korea to sign a protocol to use Korea as a logistics base during the war.

In 1905, Japan incorporated Dokdo through the Shimane Prefecture’s public notice #40.

The incorporation was initiated without any legitimate procedure.  

It was a violation of Korea’s long established sovereignty over Dokdo.

Thus, Dokdo is clearly a Korean territory under international law.

3. Is there a historical foundation for Korea exerting sovereignty over Dokdo before 1905?

Yes, here it is.

“The Ulleungdo Boundary Dispute”
This book recorded interactions between the Korean and Japanese governments in the 17th century.

In 1693, Japanese fishermen from the Tottori Domain were fishing around Ulleungdo.

They ended up getting caught by Ahn Yong-Bok and other Korean fishermen.

Ahn travelled to Japan and objected to the intrusion of Japanese fishermen on Ulleungdo.

Meanwhile, Japanese fishermen complained to the Japanese government about Korean fishermen in the area.

The Japanese government asked the Tottori Domain to investigate the sovereignty of Ulleungdo.

So, the Tottori Domain initiated interaction with the Korean government. This interaction is referred to as “the Ulleungdo Boundary Dispute” in historical records.

Consequently, the Tottori Domain submitted a report to the Japanese government stating that Ulleungdo and Dokdo did not belong to their domain.
 
The Japanese government revoked permission for the passage of Japanese ships to Ulleungdo.

This decision concluded the dispute between the two countries.

It reaffirmed that Dokdo and Ulleungdo belonged to Korea.

In the late 19th century, some Japanese were caught illegally logging in Ulleungdo. 

The Korean Empire asked Japan to remove Japanese loggers from the island.

It also decided to strengthen its administrative control over Ulleungdo.

This decision was published as Royal Edict No.41 in an official gazette in 1900.

Article 2 of this edict states the following. 
“… The areas of jurisdiction include all parts of Ulleungdo and Dokdo.”
 
This article clearly indicates that Korea exercised jurisdiction over both islands.

4. Is there concrete historical evidence to prove that Dokdo is a Korean territory?

There are many official government documents to prove it.
 
Sejong Sillok Jiriji (1454)
Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam (1531)
Dongguk Munheonbigo (1770)
Mangi Yoram (1808)
Jeungbo Munheonbigo (1908)

Many government-issued Korean documents have various records of Dokdo.

All of this documentation reflects that Korea has long recognized Dokdo as its territory.

5. Does Japan have evidence that proves its sovereignty over Dokdo?

Onshu Shicho Goki (Records on Observations in Oki Province)
An old Japanese document compiled in 1667 by a Japanese local official

It is the oldest Japanese document to record Japan’s stance on Dokdo.

“The Oki Island marks the northwestern boundary of Japan.”

This document proves that Japan excluded Dokdo from its territorial boundaries.

Japan presents an ancient Japanese map as its evidence.

Kaisei Nippon Yochi Rotei Zenzu (1779)
(Revised Complete Map of Japanese Lands and Roads)

This map was produced by an individual, not the Japanese government.

The cartographer said that he consulted the Onshu Shicho Goki.

Dai Nihon Enkai Yochi Zenzu (1821), a large map from a survey during the Edo Period
(Map of Japan’s Costal Areas)

This comprehensive map also did not specify Dokdo. 

Neither the people nor the government of Japan perceived Dokdo as their territory.

On the other hand, many ancient Korean maps marked Dokdo with its old name “Usando.”

This indicates that Korea has long recognized Dokdo as its territory.

6. What grounds does Japan have for its claim over Dokdo?

Japan argues that Korea renounced its sovereignty by evacuating residents from the islands. 

The evacuation of the residents was only a part of a security policy during Joseon.

The evacuation decision was to protect the people from the repeated invasions of pirates. 

Thus, the Joseon government asked the Ulleungdo residents to move to the mainland.

It was by no means a renunciation of its sovereignty, but only a temporary policy to protect the people.

Until this policy ceased, the Joseon government regularly sent its officials to the islands.

Despite the evacuation, Joseon maintained its governance of the islands.  

Japan also attempts to interpret the Treaty of San Francisco (1951) to its own advantage.

In 1946, the Supreme Commander for Allied Powers commanded Japan to abandon its administrative authority over Dokdo.

This command banned Japanese vessels or personnel from approaching within 12 miles of Dokdo.

“Japan shall recognize the independence of Korea.”

“Japan shall renounce all right, title and claim to Korea, including Jejudo, Geomundo and Ulleungdo.”
- Article 2 of the San Francisco Peace Treaty (1951)

Japan asserts that Dokdo was not included in the list.

Japan uses this interpretation as proof that Dokdo does not belong to Korea.

Even islands bigger than Dokdo were not specifically listed in the treaty. Thus, such an argument is absurd.

7. Did Korea fully recover its sovereignty over Dokdo after independence?

Japan will be expelled from all other territories which she has taken by violence and greed.”
- Cairo Declaration (1943)

The declaration indicates that Korea fully recovered its sovereign rights over its territories.

Dokdo is no exception.

8. What is the most decisive evidence that proves Korean sovereignty over Dokdo?

The 1877 Daijokan directive assured that Dokdo did not belong to Japan.

During the Meiji Era, the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs made an inquiry to the Daijokan.

The Daijokan was then the highest administrative body. The inquiry was about the sovereignty of Ulleungdo and Dokdo.

Based on “the Ulleungdo Boundary Dispute,” the Daijokan stated the following. 

“Be assured that either Ulleungdo or Dokdo has no relation to Japan.”

About 7 years before, in 1870, a Japanese official also filed a similar report.

In the report titled “Chosenkoku Kosai-Shimatsu Naitansho,” he concluded that Ulleungdo and Dokdo had nothing to do with Japan.

“How Takeshima (Ulleungdo) and Matsushima (Dokdo) became annexed to Joseon”

This statement shows that Japan recognized Ulleungdo and Dokdo as Korean territories.
There was no disagreement over the sovereignty of these islands between Korea and Japan.

9. If Dokdo is clearly a Korean territory, why does it refuse Japan’s proposal to bring the issue to the International Court of Justice?

Korea has long established its sovereignty over Dokdo.

There is no reason for Korea to prove its own sovereignty to the court.

Japan is constantly making claims of sovereignty over Dokdo.

There is a real reason why Japan wants to take this issue to the international court.

Japan continues to agitate the Korean media and the Korean people.

Japan is trying to make Dokdo a contested region.

The result of taking this issue to the court is clear.

Dokdo will be categorized as a contested region.

Dokdo will be brought into an unwanted territorial dispute.

This goes against our will to protect our territory and peace in Northeast Asia.

These nine answers explain why Koreans tend to have sensitive reactions to the Dokdo issue.

Dokdo is not a simple matter of a territorial dispute between Korea and Japan.

It is instead a common issue of peace among all humanity.

Japanese imperialism took the lives of many innocent people, and Japan has shown no regret for its past actions.

The international community should encourage Japan to reflect on its history.

Otherwise, imperialistic movements in Japan may gain momentum again.

Together, we should make it clear that imperialism will no longer be tolerated.

To the Korean people, Dokdo is a reminder of the Japanese Occupation Period.

VANK and its members will continue to work hard to overcome the legacy of Japanese imperialism.

We will further contribute to maintaining world peace.

We hope for your support in our effort to protect Dokdo.

Your support will create peace in Northeast Asia.

Conflict over history
Dispute over sovereignty
Regional power struggle

These issues are creating a sharp conflict in Northeast Asia.
Some describe the present time as “the New Cold War Era.”

Many are skeptical of the potential for Korea, China, and Japan to build cooperative relationships.

When looking at each country’s nationalism and historical tension, it is nearly impossible!

However

There was a man who achieved this dream nearly 1,200 years ago.

He was recorded in the history of all three countries.

He was a truly international figure who gained respect across borders.

“I have never had the honor of serving you, but I have long heard about your noble character. Over time, my admiration for you only grows bigger.”
- From Japanese monk Ennin’s Record of a Pilgrimage to China in Search of the Law

Du Mu, the most renowned poet of Tang China, also covered stories about this man in his work titled “The Literary Collection of Fanchuan.”

He described this man as being very bright and the most successful man in the East.

As recorded, this man was widely admired in all three countries, Korea, China and Japan.

The King of the Ocean
Jang Bogo (? ~ 846)

Have you heard about his love for the people?

Jang Bogo was born into a lower class family in Silla during the reign of King Wonseong.

He was highly skilled in martial arts. At some point, he moved to Tang China with his friend.

At the age of 30, he became a junior general with a thousand soldiers under his command.

He gained both fame and wealth in Tang China. But, he had no intention of being complacent.

Jang Bogo chose to look after the Silla residents of China.

In Tang China, there was an area referred to as the Silla Quarter. Many Silla merchants and Buddhist monks resided there.

Jang Bogo established a temple named “Beophwawon” in the Silla Quarter.

Japanese
Chinese
Korean

Everyone was welcome to the temple and free to share their knowledge.

In the temple, people could share their difficulties with others.

The temple was a place of harmony among Asians.

Silla people were able to gain support and find hope.

Beophwawon temple became a base for Silla’s maritime network.

Jang Bogo’s love for the people made Silla a kingdom of the Sea.

Have you heard about his love for the country?

Jang Bogo witnessed Silla people who had been kidnapped and brought to China by pirates.
 
He was shocked by their suffering. 

He decided to leave all his privileges behind and go back to his country.

The pirates were a great source of trouble for Silla.

Jang Bogo obtained the king’s approval to organize an army of ten thousand soldiers.

He established the Cheonghaejin garrison on Wando Island

As the commander of the garrison, he swept the pirates from the seas.

Merchants of Silla and other Asian kingdoms were finally freed from the threat of the pirates.

Maritime trade in Asia became more stable and active than ever before.

His patriotism made Silla the leading maritime power.

Have you heard about his contribution to promoting peace and cooperation in Asia?

Jang Bogo loved his country and the people.

However, they were not the only reason he protected the sea.

He dreamed of peaceful oceans where Asians could easily carry out cultural exchanges.

Jang Bogo was widely respected as a Korean national hero, a peace mediator, and the king of maritime trade.
- From the epitaph of Jang Bogo on the Shandong Peninsula, China

For most people in Asia, the pirates seemed like an undefeatable challenge.

However, Jang Bogo’s patriotism and longing for peaceful cooperation made a difference.

He defeated the challenge and brought peace and prosperity to the sea. 

Northeast Asia in 2012
We now have different obstacles that block cooperation between Asian countries.

Japanese history textbooks still show no remorse for their imperialistic past.
 
The Japanese government insists on their claim over Dokdo, showing their imperialistic ambition.

The Chinese government tries to take away Korea’s 5000 years of history through the Northeast Project, revealing its expansionism.

There seems to be no resolution to historical conflicts in Northeast Asia.

Historical conflicts are making Asians resentful of each other, and are obstructing cooperation.

These conflicts are like invisible pirates.

These conflicts may seem irreconcilable for young people in Asia.

In Europe in January of 2003, a group of young people overcame a similar challenge.

They were French and German students.

France and Germany
The two old foes of Europe 

France and Germany confronted each other in four different wars over nearly 150 years from Napoleon’s invasion of Germany through the Second World War.

However, 550 high school students from the two countries formed an agreement on the need for cooperation.

They submitted a proposal to the German chancellor and French president, asking for the production of a joint history textbook. 

Both leaders endorsed the proposal, and the first joint history textbook was created.

When we look at each other with aggression, we inevitably move toward conflict.

However, when we look at each other with respect, we move toward peace.

These young students are great heroes like Jang Bogo, who lived almost 1,200 years ago.

There are more disagreements regarding Northeast Asian history than there are agreements.

Now is the time to overcome historical conflicts.

We should all become 21st century Jang Bogos and pursue cooperation and peace in Asia.

VANK is looking for young Koreans who have passion and love for Korea.

Young Koreans will build peace in cooperation with other young Asians.

We will educate more young Koreans to become 21st century Jang Bogos.

21st century Jang Bogos will resolve the conflicts that obstruct cooperation between countries.

They will lead the constructive cooperation. They are the hope of Asia!

When we look at each other with respect, Asia will finally achieve a lasting peace.

Peace in Asia is in your hands.

With VANK, young Koreans will initiate various exchanges with other Asians. 

Together, we will make the century of Asia.

We will make the future of Asia.

These two countries have long been actively engaged in international exchange.

They sent many expeditions across the world.

Zheng-He’s Expeditions
“Go across the oceans to the end of the world, and make every single country pay tribute to China!”
- Yongle, the third emperor of Ming China, in the 15th century 

The Emperor Yongle ordered Admiral Zheng-He to go on expeditions.

For the next 28 years, Zheng-He led seven expeditions with 62 treasure ships and nearly 30 thousand men.

Zheng-He began the first great voyage across the world.

Asia
America
Africa
Zheng-He opened up a Silk Road in the ocean.

He visited numerous countries to deliver the emperor’s desire to develop exchange relationships.

China aggressively pursued international cooperation and exchange.

Zheng-He’s expeditions preceded Columbus’s discovery of the New World and European expeditions.

Through the new sea routes, Zheng-He promoted China across the world.

It is no surprise that China is the most-known Asian country in the western world.

It is the result of China’s effort to promote its culture and history for over 600 years.

The Iwakura Mission
The primary purpose was to learn advanced military and industrial technology from the West in order to strengthen Japan.

After the end of the Edo period, the Meiji government took control of Japan. 

The Meiji government organized a mission that consisted of 106 members, including its top officials.

The Iwakura Mission was sent to America and Europe.
(1871 – 1873)

One of the officials was Ito Hirobumi, the key figure in Japan’s annexation of Korea.

Japan was determined to defeat the Western powers and become the center of Asia.

It started accepting Western culture and closely watching international affairs. 

The mission went to the U.S. capital of Washington D.C. to research international political trends.
 
They later moved to the U.K. to study the Industrial Revolution.

Japan wanted to revise unequal treaties with the U.S.

So, Japan started building relationships with high-ranking American government officials.

Japan thoroughly examined the treaties.

Japan eventually used this knowledge to make an unequal treaty with Korea. 

Japan also adopted advanced military technology after observing American and European military systems.

The mission visited many different countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Germany, France, the Netherlands and Russia.

Using the knowledge they gained, Japan successfully upgraded their economic and military systems.

With renewed confidence, Japan waged the Russo-Japanese War and the Sino-Japanese War.

These wars caused tragedy and disaster in Northeast Asia.

In the 15th century – Zheng-He’s expeditions (China)
In the 19th century – The Iwakura Mission (Japan)

In the 21st century, Koreans are embarking on a great expedition to change the world and establish peace in Asia.

The Mission of Young Koreans for Asia
Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK)

VANK started as a pen-pal website in 1999.
It is now an organization that has 100 thousand members as of 2012. 

We recruit young Koreans through the internet. 
We train them to become cyber diplomats. 

PRKOREA 200 Thousand Project

The purpose of this project is to train 200 thousand citizen diplomats, who will promote Korea across the world.

Our goal is to have each of the 200 thousand citizen diplomats make friendships with at least 5 foreign friends. 

Then, a million foreigners will become our friends.

Citizen diplomats will interact with their foreign friends, families and their local communities.

Through friendly interaction, they will promote everything about Korea, including its culture, history, politics and economy.

They have corrected wrong information about Korea in various international sources.

Citizen diplomats play a crucial role in building Korea’s global image as a friendly country.

Their foreign friends learn about the real Korea.

In turn, those foreign friends promote Korea to their families and friends.

Someday all foreigners will think of Korea as “a country of good friends.”

This is our biggest dream.

Some say,
“VANK’s dream is unobtainable.”

“An enormous amount of money and effort will be required to promote Korea throughout the world. The dream is simply futile.”

Despite such skepticism, VANK members did not give up.

Korea has the world’s best internet infrastructure.
Taking advantage of the internet, everyone can promote Korea at will.

Some say,
“It’s a good dream, but it is still unrealistic.” 

However, VANK members feel confident that they can achieve the dream. 

Ten million Koreans travel abroad each year.
They can all be citizen diplomats!!  

Together, we can promote Korea to the 7 billion people of the world.

Many believe that promoting Korea is to show something amazing about Korea.

VANK disagrees.

What we need to promote Korea is not glamorous advertisements.

The best tool to promote Korea is our genuine friendship.

Build a sincere friendship with each of your foreign friends.

In just a matter of time, your friendship will reach the communities of your friends.

Your friends will express their love for Korea in their local communities.
 
Korea will be known as a country that makes friendships with the entire world.

This is the kind of Korea we want to achieve through the PRKOREA Project.

There is one question that Koreans are asked most frequently outside Korea.

“Are you Japanese?”
“Or, are you Chinese?”
“Isn’t Korea the country between China and Japan?”

VANK hopes that someday Asians will be asked such questions as:

“Are you Korean?
“Is Japan the country next to Korea?”
“Isn’t China a neighbor of Korea?

Korea becomes the center of Northeast Asia, the gateway to Asia, and the friend of the whole world.

This is VANK’s dream of “Near Korea.”

VANK wants Korea to continue to prosper economically and spiritually.

We also want Korea to share its prosperity with its global neighbors.

Friendly Korea is our ultimate dream.

Students
Housewives
Office workers
Entrepreneurs
Artists
Scientists

Whatever dream you have, please remember this:
Your vision will make a difference in your country. 

Your vision will make the future.