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The Foreign Service
OF THE
United States of America
United States Political Adviser
For Japan
No.612 Tokyo, September 6. 1948.
Unclassified.
Subject:korean Petition Concerning overSovereignity of "Docksom", Ullunegdo, Tsushima, and "Parang" Islands.
The Acting Potential Advisor has the honor to enclose a verba-
tim copy of a petition dated August 5, 1948 sent to the Surpreme Com-
mander for the Allied Powers by the Patriotic Old Men's Association,
Seoul,Korea, requesting that favorable consideration be given
Korea's claim for the return of "Docksom" (said to be Take Shima or
Lianocurt Rocks), Ulluengdo (Utsuryo TO), Tsushima, and "Parang"
Islands. "Parang Island cannot be identified by this Mis◎ior.
The Petition attenpt to trace Korea's historical inerest. In
These islands and to illustrate ho◎r Japan has used the island as
stepping stones for agression upon the continent of Asia. In this
connection reference is made to the Mission's despatch no. 1296,
Seotember 23, 1947, translating Part Ⅳ of a study by the Japanese
Foreign Office entitled "Minor Islands Adjacent to Japan ◎ prior";
Part Ⅳ of this study discusses Japan's claim to Takeshima and to
Utsuryo To
Although nothing Is known concerning the organization and pur-
poses of the Patriotic Old Men's Association, it is bolio◎a that
the enclosed petition may be indicative of Korean thinking in
regard to the disposition of the island in question.
Enclosure;
Petition dated August 5.
1948 sent to SCAP by the
Patriotic Old Men's Asso
ciation, Seoul, Korea
Unclassified
cc:U.S Representative, Seoul.
Subject: Reqyest for Arrangement of Lands Between Korea and Japan
To Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander, SCAP
We, Korean people , are ever so interesting for your negotiation
for peace to Japan, because Korea stand near by Japan and Korea was
under the cruel compression of Japan for years and vast sacrifices
were always paid to Japan. We expect you that so sharp and keen
plans for establishemt of critical peace and order and are waiting
for its announcement. Korea who has no actual voice in the confere-
ence should be well considered by your great plans.
Speaking oriental peace, Korean opitinons which will play a great
role in it, is absolutely necesarry. Before some advices are sub-
mittied you in the course of negotiation of peace and establishment
or oriental orders, we, Patriotic Oldmen's Association, ◎◎◎ to sub-
mit a request ◎◎ , believeing your kind consider-
ation
Importance of legal arrangement of lands in the international
order, was shown in the corridor at the east Europe established in
the Versailles construction.
Generally speaking , legal arrangemental standards stand on a
passive side, e.g., resteration of lands taken away, and on the other
active side, e.g., division of land for supporting devilopment some
nation and for the peace of the nation.
On the land matters between Korea and Japan, both active and
passive sides are present and we hereby request as follows;
Returning back the island "Docksum"
it is not suspected at all but well understood that the
island "ulluengdo", and its attached are belinging to Korea hitori-
cally. Japan however, planned to profit by fishing
and foresting under the evacuation policy by Korea for internal
serurity prohibiting people to enter the island. A◎◎◎ robbery-
fishors of West Coast of Japan dared to invade into the island and
assert that the island was beliging to Japan and undisposed en-
tanglenent continued. But in accordance with the resolve negotia-
tion on it, Japan acknowledged their fault and made a word to pro-
hibit to fish there in 1693. Since 1881, seizing on the empty sea
defence, Japan began to re-invade in and difficulties between
both countries, Korea and japan, because to araise, again, under the
negotiaion in Tokyo on it by Korean plenipotentiary, Suh Sang Aoo
and his advisor G. von Hollendorf, Japan surrendered to Korea, and
thereafter Korean goverment managed in legally and absolutely, and
no chance was given tat to re-make such difficulties. On the other
hand, due to the Russian Pacific Policy, international ◎quality was
made and finally Japan closed to invade somewhere.
Japan, however, never dismiss the fishing profit around the
island "Ulluengdo", out planned to occupy a corner of it by some
means and became to find out a small island called "Docksum" in
Korean name, meaning a small pot-shaped island, near the Ulluengdo,
where whales gathered. In 1904 , Japanese sifher of Tottoriken named
Nakai Yosaburo made a cruel programme to seize the Docksum and was
practised to submit petitions or requests to the hydrograph ◎ separt-
ment of Navy, Dep't of Home affairs, Dep't of Foreig Affairs and
Dep't of Ariculture and Commerce, etc. to register the island into
Japnaese territory.
At that time ,considering the delicate international relations,
Japnaese officials hesitated to out into practice. Japan, however,
guessed the Russian failure in the Russian-Japanese War, and Pro-
vincial Notic No.40 of Tottoriken was issued officially as follows;
"Island located 85 miles far from Okishima are hereby called
Takeshima and transferred to this province." Thus, these isalnds
were occupied by Japanese government. this was of so secretry that
not only Korean Government but also either nations could not know it.
Furthermore, even if Koren Government turned his attention to it,
no pllicy might be made for it. As above , Japanese wills were com-
pletely successful on it.
The so-called Takeshima is the very "Docksum"(sis) in Korean
name, "and this is namely, Liancourt Rocks on the world's chart.
This name "Liacnourt-Rocks" was established due to the name of the
French whaler which found out the island. Thereafter, by the Russian
warship #palleada" in 1854 and by the English warship "Hornet" in
1855, the said island was re-found and the ship's name was given to
it. But it was never suspected that those variously named island
was the very island "Ulluengdo".
Ⅱ Transferring the island "Tsushima" to Koreas
The island Tsushima located at the boundary between the
Sea of Korea and the Sea of Japan is a strategic point on the trans-
portation from Japan to the Continent. Its geographical importance
is easily recognized by the defeat of Russia. We have to uderstand
that the Baltic Fleet could not escape from this point and it made
Russia defeated in the final stage of the Russian-Japanese war.
Oriental-istorially, the Tsushima was the Waiku, headquarters
of agression into the orient for 5 centuries since the 5th century.
and Korean-historically, it was the den of the burglars who abused
their power in the front of Korea for about 2000 years.
Thus, Japan always ◎arched out into Korea or the continent by
using the island as a basal point or as a stepping point. In the
world-map made by Lapo Homen, 1554 (and old oriental map) the
"ladrois" on the sea between China and Japan was undoubtfully the
Tsushima and its charactor was already know among the Europeans.
Escaping from the attacking of the pirates based at the Tsushima,
Kora had to pay them several million suks of rice, several milliion
pieces of cloth and other means of living annually, for 5 centuries.
When we consider that black clouds covering the recent Korean history
started from Japan adn ill air current was retained in this
island, Koraen peopel cannot pacify their nerves against the Tsushima.
In the local reconstruction after the great world war Ⅱ, the
Tsushima should be transfered to Korea as to
1)remove absolutely a standing menace to the ?????? for Koraen
People,
2)pfohibit the Japanese agressive emergence into the continent,
3)prevent the trapling upon the orient of the burgla s.
We hereby indicate the appropriate basal condition as follows;
a) geographically: The localization of the Tsushima a rather
nearer to Korea than to Japan, and it is not unnaturally thought that
the Tsushima belonging to Kora if we decide its belonging freely
standing far from the political conditions,
b historically] The name of "Tsushima" was orignated from the
Korean name "Taeosum" ,meaning two island (Tsnushima is composed of
two island actually9 and the grounding civilization of the Tsushima
were almostly due to the Korean old civilization, as many scholars
said, and it is well indicated that the recent civilization was made
by the hand of the Japanese of Koean origin, according to various
references.
First of all, when Korea subjugaled the Tsushima 1396 and 1419,
due to their bad faith, the tsushima re-recognized the relation be-
tween both nations, namely, master and servant. And as most of the
people in the Tsushima recieved official ranks and salaries from
Korean government, Korea thought the Tsushima a land belonging to
Korean goverenment, and this fact was clearly described in the history
and geography of Korea (lee's Korea). It is explained that Tsushima
belonging to Korae and then to Korea nad Japan since Japnese pirates
occupied this island. Such instances occupied by two nations, are
often found in the oriental history. For example, ryukyuu belonged
to China and Japan, and Joshin belonging to Korea and China. And it
is not denied that for some period, the Tsushima belonging to Korea
and Japan doubtfully
c. Politically: though the oriental peace will be completely
made according to the equally developen plitical sulf-awakening of
then, the Japanese agression should be by the riot removed before
to be so. For these purposes, firstly it is necesarry not to let
Japan have any bridge to the orients and the tsushima is carefully
considered for it. As long as Japan ages and governs the
Tsushima freely and legally, Japan will have the chance and power
to agres into the orient. ofcourse, this reagression of Japan
is a great menace to Kora and the orient.
Considering frankly the uneasiness of the United States when
Cuba and Haiti being basal ground of pirates of aggressing powers,
everyone can well understan the sharp mental process against the
Tsushima.
d. Economically: The Tsushima has poor soil to agriculture
that independent supporting was never obtained. And this resulted
from that the island was under the supervision of Japan. But satis-
fied with the mean position to Korea. and , they could not help falling
to beggers as soo as they could not pirate ships. And those who
were under such stranges of beggering , they used to get fishing profits
to submit the Tushima was to open then three fishing bases in the
south coast of Korea , too.
thereafter, when the Meiji-restraction was established and
international relation between Korea and Japan was interrupted, re-
opening of diplomatic relation between both counries began with the
fishing treaty. this fishing profit obtained in the Korean coast.
which center is the Korean channel, is necesarry for only this island
population but also indeed plays a great role in the financial
problem of Japan.
It is doubtlessly expected that the fishing o their fishing
centers for liveing vbetween both countries will be severely. And so
the reversion of the Tsushima where is the point of co???????? sea
is of importance meaning, and this economical base may be tunnel to
the starting point to the political activity.
Without objection, the chance tof living means of japan or their
living and developement will be indec allowed, but it will be never
permitted to rehabilitate standing of the base of our fear and sacri-
fices. We firnly carry out point that transferring the Tsushima to
Korea will be the grouding stone for establishemen ot the new
oriental orders. some debator may say that Korea which is not a
direct victor will not be able to request the division of land. In
for one or two lives. and so. it will not much estimated to take back
the Tsushima for our great sacrifice or loss for 2000 years, though
all lands of Japan will be less enough to compensate them. It is
better understand that small island "Tsushima " will be a compensation
for loss of people and substances of Korea. Establishemt of
Polish Corridor in the Versailles construction was for the new
European order cut for the Polish merjtorious service, and the mili
tary service of Korea will be considered.
Potsdam annoucement of 26th July 1945 said "the soverignity "
of japan should only be on Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyusyu, Shikoku and
island directed -------" It is to be interesting that the Kyusyuu
and the Tsushima were omitted from the item, and this point is the
very base to request the problem. oicily to Italy, Rsica to France
and Tsushima to Korea" They are legal.
Ⅲ Making clear the belonging of Parang Island.
"Parang" is the series of islands which are south sea,
Long 125"W and 32'30 N.L. "parang" is Koran word and means
"green island" and it has been a markpoint of course from Mokpo to
Hangju of China. The localizatoin of the island is measured by 150
km. from Cheju of Korea, 450km. from Nagasaki of japan and 320km.
from Shanghai of China and their belongings are by these distances
well explained.
People say Japan asserted to occupy thse islands after surrender
to escape from the sea limitation. It will be a foolish plan to
occupy islands which historically and geographically are not connected
with them, and is and indication of their invasion.
Japan by this means got the Docksum, and Paracel island on the
South China Sea, and the occuupying of Parang will be a re-attack or
their cruel worn-out measure. If this planning above staed of Japan
is true we cannot stand out of the problem. And the chance which will
make clear the Prang's belonging ?omos now.
The above mentionted requests are to arrange lands between Korea
and Japan to establish a new oriental orders. And this establish-
ment will be not for temporary benefit but for permanent ground of
world's peace. Judging with right and truth, both mention and be-
omg ,emaced pbtaom a legal peace amd guaranty.
Of course, we expect that the tradition of the United States,
your sagacity and your deep plans will execute the mission of the
period. You know our welcoming you is much passionate and deeper
than welcoming Wilson at the peace conference in Paris. It is be-
bacuse of his being sagcity and sharp decision. We submit you this
request to help your plans which might or may contain the policy to
support the position of Korea.
we are and were sorry that the unfavoratable negotiation for peace
between Korea and Japan was made through the United States but we
never be to remeber it and it was already gone out . We, now, know
the traditon of the United States , and we are full of hopeness
that lets us know "Richt pursuiting life, freedom and happiness"
is a universal truth.
you are kindly requested your sagacity be fully given for
restoration of lands and establishment of oriental peace.
Cho Sung Nhan
Chairman
Patriotic Oldmen's
Association, Seoul
Korea.