Seol Min-seok: "Japan remains silent when presented with historical records proving Dokdo is our land... making baseless claims"

On the 12th, the MBC entertainment program Those Who Cross the Line Returns featured history lecturer Seol Min-seok refuting Japan's claim that Dokdo is "Takeshima." Photo by MBC Those Who Cross the Line broadcast capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Min Jun-young] History lecturer Seol Min-seok refuted Japan's claim of sovereignty over Dokdo with historical evidence.

On the 12th, the MBC entertainment program 'Those Who Cross the Line Returns' aired, featuring Seol Min-seok, Jeon Hyun-moo, Kim Jong-min, Yoo Byung-jae, and Jung Yu-mi exploring Ulleungdo and Dokdo.

In the broadcast, Seol Min-seok stated, "Dokdo is our land with a clear address. Japan continuously claims it as their territory, and their textbooks call Dokdo 'Takeshima.' They are promoting the idea that we are illegally occupying Dokdo," explaining the reason for visiting Ulleungdo and Dokdo.

Before explaining Dokdo, Jeon Hyun-moo described Ulleungdo, saying, "In 1900, it was called Uldo-gun and was incorporated into Gangwon Province, and in 1906, it was incorporated into Gyeongsangnam-do. Now it is part of Gyeongsangbuk-do."

Then Jung Yu-mi added, "The lyrics of the song 'Dokdo is Our Land' have changed," noting, "Due to changes in administrative districts and natural environment, even the first verse has changed."

Seol Min-seok said, "There are numerous historical documents proving that Dokdo is our land. We already know this well," and added, "'Sejong Sillok Jiriji,' which is mentioned in the song 'Dokdo is Our Land,' is one such document. It records that 'there are two islands in the East Sea, Usan (Dokdo) and Mureung (Ulleungdo),' confirming that Dokdo was clearly recognized as distinct from Ulleungdo."

He continued, "Japan is making unreasonable claims based on the Paldo Chongdo included in the mid-Joseon period Shinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam."

He explained, "In Paldo Chongdo, Usando is shown to the left of Ulleungdo. However, by the late Joseon period, many practical scholars and administrators recognized the locations of Ulleungdo and Dokdo and corrected them to their current positions. This was clearly shown in maps such as Dongguk Daejido, Aguk Chongdo, and Haejwa Jeondo. Japan fixates on one mistake. We presented these materials, but they remained silent," criticizing Japan.

He then explained the phrase in Sejong Sillok Jiriji, "Pungilcheongmyeong Jeukgamanggyeon (Dokdo is visible only when the weather is clear)," saying, "There is a record that Usan (Dokdo) can be seen only when the weather is clear."

Jung Yu-mi added, "If this phrase in Sejong Sillok Jiriji had not existed, Usando might not have been recognized as Dokdo."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.