"Recognize the Illegal Hunting of Dokdo Sea Lions"... Seokyeongdeok Protests Japan

Protest to the National Geographic Information Institute over 'Distortion of Takeshima and Gangchi Explanation'

Professor Seokyung Deok of Sungshin Women's University protested to the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, which operates the Map and Survey Exhibition Hall under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, demanding that they "acknowledge the illegal capture of sea lions on Dokdo" regarding the exhibition poster.

A map by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan labeling Dokdo as '竹島' (Takeshima, the name Japan claims for Dokdo) and explaining the capture of sea lions and collection of abalones.
[Photo by Sung Kyung-deok, Professor at Sungshin Women's University, SNS capture]

On the 2nd, Professor Seo revealed through his social media (SNS) that "a netizen living in Japan reported the poster related to this exhibition, and not only the labeling of Dokdo but also the explanation about sea lions was distorted."

He explained, "The exhibition hall is holding an exhibition claiming Japan's sovereignty over Takeshima (竹島, the name Japan claims for Dokdo) through surveying until December 17," adding, "The exhibition also simultaneously displayed the Senkaku Islands (called Diaoyu Islands by China), which Japan is in a territorial dispute with China over, and the Kuril Islands (called Northern Territories by Japan), which Japan and Russia are disputing."

Professor Seo said, "Looking at the Dokdo section of the exhibition poster, it is labeled as '竹島' and explains that 'sea lions were captured and abalone were harvested on Takeshima,'" adding, "This is a part that Japan consistently distorts externally, so I immediately sent a protest email."

He emphasized, "I strongly protested, demanding that Japan acknowledge the historical fact that they 'illegally' captured sea lions on Dokdo and drove them to extinction, and stop further false provocations."

He continued, "On this 'Dokdo Day,' I attached a video about the historical facts of the sea lions on Dokdo, produced together with the Gyeongbuk Content Agency, to strongly refute Japan's groundless claims," adding, "We will continue to track and strongly respond to Japan's ongoing distortion of Dokdo."

Recently, Professor Seo marked 'Dokdo Day' (October 25) by producing a multilingual video with the Gyeongbuk Cultural Foundation Content Agency to raise awareness about the history of the sea lions on Dokdo both domestically and internationally, initiating efforts to correctly inform about the sea lions.

Meanwhile, sea lions, a type of marine mammal, are estimated to have once lived in groups numbering up to tens of thousands on Dokdo. However, after Japan incorporated Dokdo into its territory in 1905, it is reported that Japan established a company dedicated to sea lion hunting and cruelly captured them.