There is not much to report in the way of hard Jeju news, so it’s time to get political again.
I would like to draw reader’s attention to the situation to the plight of the people of the Dokdo islands. For those who don’t know, Dokdo is a land of great natural beauty and rocky cliffs, similar to Jeju and with a shorter, though equally rich, history.
First populated in 1991 1965, this fishing and natural gas paradise includes, according to wikipedia, a lighthouse, a helicopter pad, and a staircase.
The island was in the news when Park Jong-Woo held up a sign saying “Dokdo is our land” after a bronze-medal match with Japan during the Olympics.
When the media reported this, they presented this as a dispute between Koreans and Japanese. However, what the media forgot to do is ask the people of Dokdo how THEY feel about the situation.
The reality is that, as the original settlers of Dokdo have developed their own unique culture and lifestyle, they have a newly realized sense of independence and nationalist fervor. Dokdo probably has enough people for a national soccer team. The countries battling for control of their land are considered by the native Dodkonians to be great oppressors.
I took this photo of a native Dokdo boy to prove how this crisis makes them feel:
The innocent among you may ask, why would Japan and Korea be fighting for control over an island that just yearns for freedom? What is their stake in it? These Asian imperialists wish to exploit the abundant natural resources the island has to offer, as well as to permanently enslave the people of Dokdo in a cycle of subsistence labor while they reap the benefits of the islands.
So before you open your mouth again, Mr. Park, think about the little people Dokdo. Remember that they think of you as a conqueror, not a fellow national.
Also, although never a strong believer in conspiracy theories, I believe there is much these governments are not telling us about their true intentions behind taking control of the island. What is hiding underneath the Dokdo staircase? A stargate? 100 kilos of cocaine? A nuclear fusion reactor?
Whatever the case, it’s time Dodko had its own say. Like Horton the elephant, I have heard their voice and I implore Korea, Japan, China, Alaska, and all other interested parties to STOP THE VIOLENCE and allow Dokdo to participate in the chorus of nations.
In fact, Dokdonians would prefer if people started referring to the island as Xurc-duj-Xurc, which in the native tongue of the islanders translates to “island of infinite dreams.”
Culture Time 