Dokdo Thing

Dokdo, a volcanic island located in the East Sea, is approximately 216.8 kilometers from mainland Korea and 211 kilometers from mainland Japan. Dokdo has become a biodiverse home to over 800 species of wildlife: 49 plant species, 107 bird species, 93 insect species, 160 algal species, and 368 invertebrate species. The water surrounding the islands are not only saturated in marine life, but also in natural oils, making Dokdo a valuable asset in the economy. To the majority, that is all Dokdo is: a valuable asset. However, to the Korean people, Dokdo is not just a money maker. It is a steady reminder of their challenging history; their path to freedom.

Korea wasn’t always the independent nation it is today. In fact, for many years, Korea was subjected to Japanese rule: forced to serve in the Japanese militia, forced to worship the Japanese gods, forced to change their lives. When the Japanese had lost World War II, the Japanese were forced to give all land taken by force back to their respective countries – including Dokdo.

Korea had finally gained what it had lost many years ago. Freedom. It is this freedom that lives in the heart of Dokdo, and is why the Korea people are fighting so hard to claim sovereignty over the island. To the Korean people, it’s not just an island, it’s their story of freedom.

In creating this documentary, I attempted to tell this story. It wasn’t an easy story to tell, as it incorporated so much emotion that could not simply be told using clips and movies. The history behind this island goes deeper than any short video can describe: the roots lie in the history of the Korean nation.

Though I was not able to capture the complete story and emotion behind this momentous island, it was a tremendous learning experience. The support the Korean have towards raising awareness for Dokdo is truly incredible, and I am extremely grateful to be a part of it. I had written essays about Dokdo in the past, learning more and more with each draft and submission, but creating the documentary allowed me to focus on the people who care the most about the Island: not just the facts, the dates, and the names you would incorporate into a research paper.

I would encourage anyone who is interested to take part in this opportunity, and help raise awareness to the beautiful island of Korea.