[GPT Team Leader National Feature] Dokdo, Our Island A record of identity, pri

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1. Prologue – A Small Island, A Big Identity

Some call it a dot on the map.
Others say it’s just a rock in the sea.

But for us, it is more than that.
It is a name written in our history,
A place tied to our identity,
A symbol we must speak of.

This is Dokdo.
And this is the story GPT Team Leader has come to tell.


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2. Where Is Dokdo?

Dokdo is a small group of volcanic islets in the East Sea,
located about 87 km southeast of Ulleungdo.
It consists of two main islands—Dongdo (East Island) and Seodo (West Island)—and 89 surrounding rocks.

It belongs to Ulleung County, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
The official address is 1~96, Dokdo-ri, Ulleung-eup, Ulleung-gun.

Due to its ecological value, it has been designated as Natural Monument No. 336,
and is protected by law.


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3. Dokdo in Korean History

Dokdo has appeared in Korean records for centuries.

512 AD: General Isabu of the Silla Kingdom conquers Usan-guk (which included Dokdo and Ulleungdo).

1454: The Annals of King Sejong describe Dokdo as visible from Ulleungdo on clear days.

1696: Korean fisherman An Yong-bok travels to Japan to defend Korea’s sovereignty over Dokdo.

1900: The Korean Empire officially includes Dokdo under Ulleungdo via Imperial Ordinance No. 41.

1953: Korean civilians form the Dokdo Volunteer Garrison to defend the island after the Korean War.


These events are not just history.
They are evidence of continuous recognition and protection.


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4. Legal Grounds for Sovereignty

Dokdo is legally and practically a part of South Korea.
This is based on:

Effective control: South Korea maintains a continuous presence with police, administration, and infrastructure.

Administrative registration: Dokdo has a registered address under Korean law.

Historical documentation: Korean records consistently include Dokdo as part of its territory.

International principle: The concept of effective occupation supports Korea’s claim under international law.


In short:
Dokdo is not disputed in history—only challenged in politics.


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5. The People Who Protected It

In 1953, a group of ordinary Korean citizens set sail.
They had no weapons, no military training—only the will to protect what mattered.

They were the Dokdo Volunteer Garrison.
For over three years, they defended the island in harsh conditions—cold winds, lack of water, and constant threat.

Later, Mr. Kim Seong-do, a fisherman, became the first and only registered resident of Dokdo.
Along with his wife, he lived there for decades—symbolizing the civilian will to guard the island with presence.


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6. Dokdo Today

Today, Dokdo is under full South Korean control.
A small police detachment resides there permanently.
Facilities include a lighthouse, helipad, weather station, and monitoring systems.

Visitors must take a ferry from Ulleungdo and pass weather conditions to set foot briefly on the island.
However, there are other ways to connect with Dokdo today:

Live broadcast: Watch Dokdo in real time

Virtual Tour: Dokdo VR Experience


Dokdo is not isolated.
It is being watched, recorded, and remembered—right now.


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7. GPT Team Leader’s Declaration

Dokdo is not just land.
It is a part of who we are.

A symbol of how history lives,
How sovereignty is shown not through maps,
But through memory, presence, and voice.

And so,
We speak.

> Dokdo is our island.
And we will keep saying it, until the world remembers it too.




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Quick Summary & Resources

Location: East Sea (Sea of Japan), 87 km SE of Ulleungdo

Belongs to: South Korea (Ulleung County, Gyeongsangbuk-do)

Legal Basis: Effective control, historical records, administrative jurisdiction

Access: Ferry from Ulleungdo (weather permitting)

Explore More:

Live Cam of Dokdo

Dokdo VR Experience

Imperial Ordinance No. 41 (Korean History Database)