Fascinating Dokdo
Joining other foreign travelers from the sea port of Donghae in the Gangwon Province to Ulleungdo, we navigated about 147 kilometers over two hours through calm waters and occasional high waves. But from Ulleungdo, our ferry ride to Dokdo was even rougher as big waves lifted our ferry up and down for the next hour and a half covering about 87 kilometers, which made us all wonder if this was a kind of huge welcome for us to the famous island.
On that final leg of our journey to Dokdo, I was seated next to my friends Johan from Austria and Brenda from Canada. We talked about Korea and exchanged stories about we knew about Dokdo, a perfect discussion about the island that we were about to visit, including our realization that we were about to count ourselves as fortunate to have ever been to Dokdo.
For me, the high waves and the ferry boat's riding up and down those huge waves did not bother me at all as I have been riding passenger ferries as well as small boats all my life in the Philippines that happen to have more than seven thousand islands. This was a fun journey across the seas for me.
Beautiful Dokdo
Minutes before we docked, I could see Dokdo's silhouette through the misty window of the ferry boat. And when the doors opened after we arrived, a draft of fresh sea air blew in giving me and my fellow passengers, who were all queuing by the exit, an experience of the nature surrounding Dokdo even before we set foot outside.
I remembered the emotions that my friends and I felt. Seeing the huge, tall rocks that comprise Dokdo, I initially felt incredulous, forcing myself to believe that I was now on the island that I only saw on photographs online. All the hours of tiring bus and ferry rides from Seoul to Donghae, then Donghae to Ulleungdo, and then finally to Dokdo seemed to have evaporated with the mist that covered the ferryboat's windows.
The silhouettes of the rocks that were right in front of me were like a vision from a beautiful dream. I breathed in the fresh sea air and had to remind that I was finally here in person - right on the island of Dokdo, an island so full of history and controversy that people forget how beautiful it really was.
Dokdo is comprised of about 89 islets, but the two main rocks, Dongdo and Seodo, could be seen as pointing to the heavens and colored green and brown. Green for the plants and shrubbery that covered its sides, and brown for the steep, sharp cliffs that seemed to have been molded by the carving tools of the gods. The whole area of Dokdo is more than 187 thousand square meters.
The sight was breathtaking. It was like from postcard. That day, Dokdo welcomed me with its beauty and magnificence.
Teaching Dokdo to the World
In order to strengthen its claim over Dokdo, Korea in general, and the Academy of Korean Studies in particular, should also feature in its textbooks, brochures and informative materials the following:
(1) The first names of the civilians living on the island as well as their way of life on Dokdo.
(2) The exact address of Dokdo - with special mention that it is part of North Gyeongsang Province
(3) The beauty of Dokdo and its surrounding rich seas.
Writing about the civilians who live on Dokdo and their way of life will give everyone a better understanding of the islets as well as an idea that since ordinary Korean people live there and occupy the place, South Korea has the sovereignty and full possession of Dokdo.
The readers around the world should know where these civilian residents in Dokdo came from. Who are they and why did they decide to live there? What do they do for a living? What food do they cook and eat in Dokdo? Do they have a garden? Do they have pet dogs? What are the names of their pets and their breed? What are their daily routines? How do they adjust to the weather and the changes in seasons? If they get sick, what do they do? Do they get mail from the Korean post office?
Other than the civilians, the world should also know about the Korean policemen who are assigned there as well as their experience of being posted on the island. What keeps these young policemen busy? What entertainment do they have? Do they have local television channels for Korean dramas and movies?
Also, by including the description of Dokdo as being part of the Ulleung County and the North Gyeongsang Province in the reading materials, this gives the readers and students a firm picture that it is part of Korea, even though it is far from the mainland.
And showcasing the flora and fauna of the islets, and the rich fishing grounds around them will give people an idea that the Dokdo islets are not just isolated rocks in the middle of the East Sea, but a place that is alive and inhabited by the Korean people, animals, and plants.
This information should be included in local and international textbooks, and on online portals and Korean websites written in different languages for international understanding and information.
This way, the controversy that follows Dokdo will be overshadowed by the personal stories of its residents, its natural beauty, and by its biological diversity and existence.
Dokdo in the 21st century
Since its earliest mention in historical records and maps about three centuries ago, Dokdo has seen historical and natural events that shaped human history.
And even though my visit to Dokdo was more than a decade ago, I still count myself today as one of the many fortunate foreigners who have set foot on the island and discovered its real story and natural beauty firsthand.
I still dream that I may be able to visit Dokdo again someday. And with these steps that I recommend to the Academy of Korean Studies, I hope that Dokdo will finally be able to shake off all the controversy that has accompanied it all this time.
I hope that the global recognition and respect will happen now in the 21st century. 😎
(My fellow travelers to Dokdo taking photos
of the island during our departure)
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I submitted this piece for the 2021 Understanding Korea Essay Writing Competition organized by the Academy of Korean Studies. It won a prize. 😍
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