The cyber diplomatic mission VANK created posters in both English and Korean criticizing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for taking no action against the Japanese government, which marked Dokdo as its territory on the Tokyo Olympic homepage map. The posters have been distributed on social networking services (SNS) since the 4th. [Photo by Facebook capture]
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] As it became known that Japan marked Dokdo as its territory on the Tokyo Olympics official website map, protests have erupted in various places. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has shirked responsibility by saying, "Inquire with the Japanese government," and has taken no action. In this regard, the cyber diplomatic mission VANK produced and released a poster on the 4th criticizing the Japanese government and the IOC.
On the same day, VANK posted on social media (SNS), "We accuse the IOC, which has become a puppet of the Japanese government," along with a photo of the poster. The digital poster titled "Is the IOC a puppet of the Japanese government?" features an image of a hand shaped like the Rising Sun Flag, symbolizing the Japanese Empire, seemingly controlling the IOC like a puppet. This criticizes both the Japanese government's political use of sports through the IOC and the IOC's failure to take any action against the Japanese government.
VANK criticized, "The Japanese government placed Dokdo on its territory map on the 2021 Tokyo Olympics website," adding, "This is a calculated move to inform the world that Dokdo is Japanese territory through the Olympics." They also pointed out, "While the IOC strictly prohibits bringing sports into politics, it is turning a blind eye to the Japanese government's provocative act that directly violates the Olympic spirit."
Previously, during the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, when Dokdo was marked on the Korean Peninsula flag, the Japanese government protested, calling it a "political act against the Olympic spirit," and the IOC accepted this, recommending the Korean government remove it. At that time, Korea complied and removed Dokdo from the Korean Peninsula flag.
In response, VANK pointed out, "The IOC, which intervened to have Dokdo removed from the Korean Peninsula flag during the PyeongChang Olympics, shows no reaction to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics' Dokdo marking," calling it "unfair." They added, "This is not the first time the IOC has become a puppet of the Japanese government," noting, "When the Tokyo Olympic Committee announced in 2021 that it would allow possession and entry of the Rising Sun Flag at Tokyo Olympic venues, the IOC did not stop it."
Furthermore, VANK emphasized, "We want to inform the international community that the IOC is acting as a spokesperson and puppet for the Japanese government to gather international criticism." The poster produced by VANK also includes a global petition address criticizing the IOC's behavior.
Along with distributing the poster, VANK sent a protest letter urging IOC President Thomas Bach to officially request the Japanese government to remove Dokdo, as was done during the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.
Meanwhile, as Japan marked Dokdo as its territory on the Tokyo Olympics official website and refused to correct it, Korea has called for IOC mediation. According to major foreign media on the 2nd (local time), the Korean Sports Council sent a letter to the IOC the previous day, urging active mediation in the Dokdo territorial dispute.
Additionally, 132 members of the National Assembly announced on the 3rd that they would propose a resolution condemning "(Japan's Dokdo marking) as a clear provocative act infringing on the territorial sovereignty of the Republic of Korea." They stated, "It not only severely damages the trust between Korea and Japan but also threatens peace in Northeast Asia and directly violates the Olympic spirit," urging the government to "respond firmly and thoroughly."
Regarding this, the IOC has yet to issue any particular stance, and Japan maintains its position that Dokdo is its territory.
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