"Dokdo is Our Land, Spreading the Word Worldwide"... 'Cyber Dokdo School' Celebrates 2nd Anniversary

Gyeongbuk Office of Education 2021 School Openings

800,000 Visitors · 10,000 Graduates

The Cyber Dokdo School, the first of its kind nationwide established to serve as a civilian diplomat promoting the value of Dokdo, South Korea's territory, to the world, celebrated its 2nd anniversary on the 26th.

The Gyeongbuk Office of Education planned the establishment of the Cyber Dokdo School in response to the Japanese government's revisions to the elementary, middle, and high school curriculum guidelines and textbook verifications that include territorial sovereignty infringement descriptions related to Dokdo and unjust claims of Dokdo ownership.

Cyber Dokdo School Main Screen

Preparations began in 2018, and centered on Gyeongbuk Office of Education teachers, they independently developed Dokdo education content that the public must know. With cooperation and advice from specialized institutions and thorough verification, the school opened on April 26, 2021, as the nation's first online Dokdo education platform.

As of April this year, the cumulative number of visitors reached 804,358, with 10,174 students having completed the elementary, middle, and advanced Dokdo classes, and 12,336 students currently enrolled.

The Cyber Dokdo School's 'Dokdo Classroom' elementary course (10 sessions) consists of topics such as Visiting Dokdo, Exploring Dokdo, Meeting the People of Dokdo, Dokdo's Climate and Four Seasons, and Animals and Plants Living on Dokdo. After studying, students complete an evaluation to finish the elementary course.

The intermediate course (10 sessions) covers more in-depth topics including Dokdo's Location and Territory, Dokdo's Appearance and Nature, Figures Who Protected Dokdo, Dokdo Seen Through Old Maps, Japan's Greed for Dokdo, the Falsity of Japan's Sovereignty Claims, and Efforts to Protect Dokdo.

The advanced course (15 sessions), designed for those who have completed the elementary and intermediate courses, is based on the Ministry of Education's official high school Dokdo education curriculum. It aims to address the unfairness of Japan's sovereignty claims and establish a territorial and historical perspective suitable for a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship.

When students need a break or want to find other fun activities during classes in the Dokdo Classroom, they can enjoy Dokdo songs, games, and webtoons in the Dokdo Playground.

In particular, last year, the 'Mungchi Detective Mystery File' webtoon developed by Gyeongbuk Office of Education teachers gained popularity. It features a 5th-grade elementary school girl who hides her detective skills and investigates a mysterious case on Dokdo with her pet dog, allowing learners to appreciate Dokdo's beautiful natural environment, resources, and importance.

Last year, the Gyeongbuk Office of Education, together with the Ministry of Education and education offices nationwide, promoted the 'Cyber Dokdo School Nationalization Project.' They held a nationwide Dokdo Love Content Contest, a nationwide Dokdo Relay Marathon, and a nationwide Dokdo Education Olympics to spread the will to protect Dokdo across the country. A total of 8,326 people participated in the Dokdo Relay Marathon, including 3,266 students and staff from other cities and provinces, confirming that the Cyber Dokdo School is expanding beyond Gyeongbuk to the entire nation.

Last year, the Gyeongbuk Office of Education produced and distributed Dokdo postcard sets to 90 schools involved in international exchange projects within the province, promoting Dokdo worldwide through cultural exchanges via postcards with foreign friends.

This year, they are promoting Dokdo globally by establishing a foreign member registration system for the Cyber Dokdo School, uploading English versions of the elementary and intermediate Dokdo Classroom courses, producing English promotional materials for the Cyber Dokdo School, and appointing foreign ambassadors. In May, they plan to have overseas Korean school students complete the Dokdo Classroom and participate in a Dokdo exploration.

Marking its 2nd anniversary, the Gyeongbuk Office of Education is expanding Dokdo education by organizing and operating more than 10 hours of Dokdo education in elementary, middle, and high school curricula and producing and distributing various teaching and learning materials.

Lim Jong-sik, Superintendent of Gyeongbuk Office of Education, said, "The Cyber Dokdo School, which the Gyeongbuk Office of Education has devoted great effort to creating, has reached its 2nd anniversary. We will strive further to ensure that the Cyber Dokdo School is utilized as a venue for Dokdo education not only nationwide but globally, faithfully fulfilling its role as a protector of Dokdo, the territory of the Republic of Korea."

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