Assemblyman Yoon Jae-gap Proposes Exclusive Economic Zone Starting from Dokdo

Candidate Cho Seung-hwan for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Expresses Willingness for Active Consideration

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] Yoon Jae-gap, a member of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Food, and Maritime Affairs Committee (Democratic Party, Haenam·Wando·Jindo), urged Cho Seung-hwan, the nominee for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, at the confirmation hearing on the 4th to declare an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) based on Dokdo.

In the past, our government proposed setting the Korea-Japan EEZ boundary midway between Ulleungdo and Japan's Okinawa Island without considering Dokdo during the first EEZ negotiations with Japan.

Although former President Syngman Rhee declared the "Maritime Sovereignty Declaration" and the "Syngman Rhee Peace Line," proclaiming Dokdo as our maritime territory to the international community, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time proposed setting the EEZ boundary excluding Dokdo due to a lack of understanding of Dokdo's oceanographic value.

Subsequently, in later talks, our government belatedly proposed the EEZ boundary between Dokdo and Oki Island, and currently, both Korea and Japan claim Dokdo within their EEZs.

Assemblyman Yoon Jae-gap stated, “To gain an advantage in the Korea-Japan EEZ boundary negotiations and to exercise effective control as territory, it is urgent to declare an EEZ based on Dokdo,” adding, “I hope that once Cho Seung-hwan assumes office as minister, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will take a more proactive role in strengthening sovereignty over Dokdo.”

Nominee Cho said, “Dokdo is completely our territory both historically and under international law,” and added, “We will actively review the declaration of an EEZ based on Dokdo with relevant ministries.”