"Unaware of the Dajokan Directive?"... Seo Kyungduk Protests to Shimane Governor

Sunrise view of Dokdo taken by Professor Seokyungdeok. Professor Seo

Maruyama Tatsuya, Governor of Shimane Prefecture, has sparked controversy by criticizing South Korea over "Takeshima" (the name Japan uses for Dokdo) and urging the Japanese government to take a firm stance.

According to Kyodo News on November 4, Governor Maruyama submitted a document to Akama, Minister in charge of Territorial Issues, claiming that South Korea is illegally occupying Dokdo and demanding that the government respond resolutely.

He also called on the Japanese government to establish "Takeshima Day" through a Cabinet decision and to organize the event as soon as possible.

In response, Seo Kyungduk, a professor at Sungshin Women's University, sent a letter of protest to the governor of Shimane Prefecture, criticizing the move as "a public demonstration that Governor Maruyama has no historical knowledge regarding Dokdo."

In particular, Professor Seo stated, "Let me share one basic historical fact about Dokdo," and introduced Japan's "Dajokan Directive."

In March 1877, Japan's highest administrative body at the time, the Dajokan, issued instructions to the Ministry of Home Affairs stating that "Ulleungdo and Dokdo have nothing to do with Japan." This is known as the "Dajokan Directive."

Professor Seo emphasized, "Historically, the Japanese government acknowledged that Dokdo belongs to Korea," and added, "I hope such absurd actions will not be repeated." He also stated, "I will continue to respond to any unreasonable actions by Japanese politicians regarding Dokdo in the future."

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