Why do Koreans love Dokdo?

South Korea is a North East Asian country made up of more than 3000 islands. Many people know Jeju-island, which is the biggest island and a famous tourist destination. But there is one significant island far away in the ocean. It is called Dokdo which has 89 small rocky islands. It is located between the east of the Korean peninsula and the west of Japan. This is the boundary-determining island between Japan & Korea. This small island lies on a multi-junctional region in the Pacific Ocean between North Korea and Russia as well which is why it is getting a lot of international interest.

South Korea and Japan are among the powerhouses of Asia. A conflict between them could bring a significant impact on the world. The Dokdo case can probably create a cold war between them. This is why Dokdo is known as a “Global peace island”. 

From the 9th to the 12th of July, the '2023 International Student Peace Contribution Group Dokdo Tour' was held. It was organized by Dokdo Foundation and Naeil Newspaper. A group of 30 international students including Nepalese students participated in the 3 days and 4 nights program.   

 
The 2023 Foreign Student Peace Contributor Group in Dokdo.

The goal of the program was to understand the history, culture, and geopolitical significance of the island to the Koreans. Korean officers were guarding the tiny island. Additionally, there was one Korean citizen still living on the island.

After seeing everything with real eyes we could tell it is an undisputed territory of the Republic of Korea.

The diplomatic relationship between Nepal and South Korea was established on March 1, 1974. South Korea is one of the biggest homes for Nepalese students and workers, supporting Nepal’s economy. Nowadays a lot of young generations love Korean idols like BTS and Blackpink. South Korean companies like Samsung, LG, Hyundai, etc. are huge in Nepal as well.

In Nepal’s case, the Limpiyadhura-Kalapani-Lipulekh dispute is one of the similar examples. This can be considered even more critical than the Dokdo case.

Kalapani is a trijunction between Nepal, India, and China. Similarly, Dokdo is a multi-junction point between South Korea, North Korea, Japan, and Russia. 

Multi-junction boundaries hold significant importance due to their geopolitical value. They often become focal points for territorial disputes among neighboring countries, impacting political relations and regional stability. These areas influence national security considerations, border management efforts, and economic factors such as trade routes, etc. 

On 2nd November 2019, India released ‘the 8th Indian Political Map’. This map disobeys the 200-year-old Sugauli Treaty between Nepal and India. Due to that treaty, Nepal already had to lose two-thirds of the land to English colonizers. 

The Kalapani dispute surfaced after the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Narendra Modi became prime minister for a second term. They also declared Ladakh as a separate state from Jamu-Kasmir. In these separate states, Nepalese lands, including Kalapani, Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and other parts of Mahakali East, were shown toward India.

   
Geographical location of above-mentioned lands of Nepal and South Korea.

The territorial boundary of present-day Nepal was established through the Sugauli Treaty signed with the British East India Company in 1815. According to the treaty, Nepal's western boundary was defined by the course of the Mahakali River. The Mahakali River has no single origin but two main tributaries—one originating at Lipukekh and the other at Limpiyadhura. The treaty did not specify which of these tributaries should be considered as the starting point of the Kali River for the purpose of delineating the boundary. India claims that the Kali River starts at Lipulekh, while Nepal asserts that Limpiyadhura is the source of the river. This can be a conflicting debate. 

Nepal launched a new map including Kalapani-Limpiyadhura areas into Nepal after the incident. A census report released in January 2022 also covered the region according to the Central Bureau of Statistics.  

The stronger nation should not be suppressing smaller neighboring nations. For example, what India did to the Kalapani region and the Japanese government consistently addressed their claim to the South Korean territory of Dokdo, is a "diplomatic matter" that needs resolution in order to cool down the relationship between the two countries.

Despite South Korea being an excellent example of rapid economic and technological developments, the Korean War between the North and the South and the Dokdo dispute with Japan are yet to be solved. Nepal has many things to improve and catching a rapid pace towards development and diplomatic integrity would be wise. 

Diplomatic relations between countries can be worsened or improved based on regional disputes. A good resolution and cooperation contribute to regional stability. It is crucial for nations to engage in dialogue, follow international law, and seek peaceful resolutions to maintain stability and foster mutually beneficial relationships in those areas.