Dokdo Day
Overview
Dokdo Day (독도의 날) is observed every year on October 25. Taking as its historical basis Imperial Edict No. 41, promulgated by Emperor Gojong of the Korean Empire on October 25, 1900, it is a commemorative day dedicated to publicizing the Republic of Korea's sovereignty over Dokdo at home and abroad. It was established in 2000, centered on private organizations, and commemorative events have since been held under civilian leadership; bills to designate it as a national (statutory) commemorative day have been introduced in the National Assembly on multiple occasions. It also carries the character of a response to Takeshima Day (February 22), which Shimane Prefecture of Japan enacted in 2005.
Key Details
Background of Establishment
Discussion of establishing Dokdo Day began in the late 1990s as Japan's claims to sovereignty over Dokdo gained momentum. In August 2000, civic organizations and Dokdo-related researchers in the Ulleungdo area reached agreement to make October 25 the commemorative day, and on October 25 of that same year the first commemorative event was held on Ulleungdo and at Dokdo itself. Since then, a coalition of private organizations has continued the events each year, and it has gradually taken root as a nationwide commemorative day.
Historical Basis: Imperial Edict No. 41 of the Korean Empire
Imperial Edict No. 41 is a legal decree that elevated Ulleungdo to Uldo County and defined the county magistrate's jurisdiction as Ulleungjeondo, Jukdo, and Seokdo. The prevailing scholarly view is that Seokdo refers to present-day Dokdo, and the edict is regarded as an official document demonstrating that the Korean Empire explicitly incorporated Dokdo into its territory and exercised jurisdiction over it. By making the promulgation date of this edict the commemorative day, Dokdo Day aims to emphasize that the claim to sovereignty over Dokdo is not a merely emotional assertion but one grounded in the laws and administrative system of a modern state.
Discussion of Designation as a Statutory Commemorative Day
Dokdo Day has not yet been confirmed as a national commemorative day. Since the 2000s, relevant legislative bills have been repeatedly introduced in the National Assembly, but they have time and again been discarded upon the expiration of the assembly term owing to debate over equity with other historical commemorative days, diplomatic repercussions with Japan, and the effectiveness of designating a commemorative day. Meanwhile, some local governments, including North Gyeongsang Province, have designated Dokdo Day as their own commemorative day through ordinances, and administrative support continues, such as the distribution of educational materials by offices of education.
Commemorative Events
On Dokdo Day, a commemorative ceremony is held on Ulleungdo and at Dokdo, together with visits to Dokdo, photo exhibitions, academic conferences, territorial sovereignty education for youth, signature campaigns, and other activities. Private organizations release historical materials related to Dokdo and conduct campaigns to raise public interest. In recent years, participatory events using online content and social media have been increasing.
Controversies and Challenges
Regarding the name of the commemorative day and the symbolism of its date, some scholars argue that earlier documentary records (such as the Sejong Sillok Jiriji and the Samguk Sagi) should be emphasized. There is also a view that the designation of the commemorative day should not be consumed as a logic of response to Japanese provocation but should move toward illuminating the historical, ecological, and cultural values of Dokdo in a balanced manner.
Recent Trends
In 2024 and 2025 as well, bills and petitions calling for designating Dokdo Day as a national commemorative day were discussed in the National Assembly, and while both the ruling and opposition parties expressed support in principle, detailed coordination remains a task. The government reaffirms its firm stance on sovereignty over Dokdo while continuing its response of protesting immediately each year against the Japanese government's Takeshima Day event and the Dokdo-related descriptions in its diplomatic white papers. At the level of local governments, efforts are underway to revitalize visits to Dokdo and expand hands-on territorial sovereignty education, and the production of Dokdo-related digital archives and multilingual promotional content is also on the rise. The need for academic and cultural diplomacy aimed at the international community is likewise being raised steadily.
Related Topics
- [[Dokdo]]
- [[Imperial Edict No. 41 of the Korean Empire]]
- [[Takeshima Day]]
- [[Ulleungdo and Dokdo]]
- [[Sejong Sillok Jiriji]]
- [[Ulleungdo]]