Forum Held at YU Cheonma Art Center on May 30, Attended by Senior Scholars and Experts

Two Decades of Dokdo Research Reviewed Under the Theme “Retrospect and Prospect of Korea’s Dokdo Studies”

Discussion on Korea-Japan Maritime Boundary Issues and Dokdo Education — Anticipated Policy Impact

[June 2, 2025]

Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool) held a scholarly forum to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the founding of its Dokdo Research Institute, under the theme “Retrospect and Prospect of Korea’s Dokdo Studies.”

 The forum took place on May 30 at the Lee Si-won Global Convention Hall of the Cheonma Art Center on the YU campus. It was organized to reflect on the development of Dokdo research in Korea and explore future research directions and solutions to ongoing Korea-Japan conflicts. Hosted by the YU Dokdo Research Institute with support from the Ministry of Education, the National Research Foundation of Korea, and North Gyeongsang Province, the event was attended by over 100 participants, including scholars, policy experts, and university members.

 The forum provided an in-depth academic and policy-oriented discussion on Dokdo-related issues. In the first session, Professor Emeritus KIM Byung-ryul of the Korea National Defense University delivered a keynote address titled “Retrospect and Prospect of Korea’s Dokdo Studies.” He examined the trajectory of Dokdo research since Korea’s liberation, outlining the Korea-Japan maritime boundary dispute and legal issues under international law, while presenting potential response strategies.

 In the second session, a panel discussion was led by Professor CHOI Jae-mok, Director of the YU Dokdo Research Institute. Presenters included Professor Emeritus MOON Cheol-young of Dankook University, Professor Emeritus SON Seung-chul of Kangwon National University, Dr. LEE Sang-tae, President of the Korean Association of Territory Studies, and Professor Emeritus LEE Seok-yong of Hannam University. They examined the current state of Dokdo research through various lenses including history, geography, island policy, and international law. The session featured an in-depth dialogue on interdisciplinary research and strengthening effective sovereignty over Dokdo.

Professor CHOI Jae-mok stated, “For the past 20 years, the Dokdo Research Institute has led research and education efforts on Dokdo, serving as a think tank for Korea’s Dokdo policy. Through academic forums, publication of the Dokdo Research Series, and exhibitions, we have worked to raise public awareness of Dokdo.” He added, “This forum will help realign the direction of Dokdo research and further our efforts toward a peaceful resolution of the Dokdo issue and the formation of a national consensus.”

President CHOI Oe-chool of YU delivered congratulatory remarks via video message, saying, “Since its founding, YU has laid a solid academic foundation for Dokdo research. We will continue to support scientific and interdisciplinary approaches to raise global and future generational awareness of Dokdo’s significance. I hope this forum marks a new turning point in Dokdo research.”

 Meanwhile, the YU Dokdo Research Institute, established in 2005 as Korea’s first dedicated institute for Dokdo studies, has played a central role in research, education, and outreach on Dokdo for the past two decades. It has hosted over 120 academic conferences, 100 seminars, and numerous special lectures and exhibitions. In 2007, it was designated as a Ministry of Education policy-focused research institute, and many of its research outcomes have been reflected in government policies by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, bridging the gap between academia and policy.