New monument set up on Dokdo

Maeng Hyung-kyu, third from right, minister of public administration and security, poses with officials and politicians during the unveiling ceremony of a monument on Dokdo, Sunday. The monument is inscribed with “Dokdo” and bears the name of President Lee Myung-bak to reaffirm Korea’s sovereign right to its easternmost islets. North Gyeongsang Province Gov. Kim Kwan-yong, third from left, and National Assembly Vice Speaker Lee Byung-suk, second from right, participated in the event. Dokdo administratively belongs to the province. (Photo : Yonhap)

Stone symbolizes Korea’s sovereignty over easternmost islets

Korea installed a monument on Dokdo, Sunday, to reaffirm its sovereign rights over the country’s easternmost islets and to repudiate Japan’s repeated claim over them.

The stone monument inscribed with the name of President Lee Myung-bak, the first South Korean president to visit the islets on Aug. 10, was set up to show that they “exclusively” belong to Korea.

“Dokdo has unequivocally been a part of our territory historically, geographically and under international law,” Maeng Hyung-kyu, minister of public administration and security, said during the unveiling ceremony by a flagpole with the “Taegeukgi,” the South Korean flag.

“This stone reflects our people’s national spirit and will serve as a symbol of the country’s eternal sovereignty over the islets,” he said.

Dokdo already has a monumental stele with the name of Han Seung-soo, the first prime minister to visit the rocky outcroppings in July 29, 2008. But this is the first time that a president has had his name inscribed on a monument to reflect the sovereignty of the islets.

The ceremony was hosted by North Gyeongsang Province, the region that governs Dokdo. A number of ranking officials and politicians attended the ceremony, including Lee Byung-suk, vice speaker of the National Assembly; Kim Chan, head of Cultural Heritage Administration; and Kim Kwang-yong, governor of North Gyeongsang Province.

“With the establishment of this historic monument, the world will understand Dokdo is Korean territory,” said Kim Kwang-yong. “And this symbolic monument also will bring our people together as one to protect our land.”

The monument is 1.15 meters tall and 30 centimeters in width and length. It is made from obsidian found in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province. Engraved on the front of the stele is “Dokdo” in Korean, while the back reads, “the Republic of Korea.” On the sides are inscribed the words, “President Lee Myung-bak, summer of 2012.” The calligraphy has been revealed to be President Lee’s handwriting.

The provincial government initially planned to unveil the monument on Liberation Day which is celebrated on Aug. 15, in commemoration of the country’s independence from Japan. The plan was delayed because of bad weather.

The country has faced an intense backlash from the Japanese government over Dokdo since President Lee made his abrupt visit to the islets on Aug. 10. <The Korea Times/Yi Whan-woo>

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