On April 10, 2026, a wave of indignation swept through South Korea’s Gyeongsangbuk-do Province as its Provincial Council issued a forceful condemnation of Japan’s latest Diplomatic Bluebook. The annual report, published by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, once again repeated what South Korean officials and citizens see as an unjust and historically inaccurate claim over the rocky islets known as Dokdo (called Takeshima in Japan). This year’s Bluebook not only reaffirmed Japan’s assertion that Dokdo is Japanese territory, but also continued to describe South Korea’s administration of the islands as an “illegal occupation,” a term that has been used for nine consecutive years.
According to CBN News, the Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Council wasted no time in responding. In a statement released on April 10 and signed by Council Chairman Park Seong-man, the council "strongly condemned the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 2026 Diplomatic Bluebook for repeatedly making unjust territorial claims over Dokdo and denying South Korea's sovereignty." The statement didn’t mince words, calling Japan’s repeated assertions a "brazen provocation" and demanding the immediate withdrawal of the offending claims.
For many in South Korea, especially in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Dokdo is more than just a set of remote rocks in the East Sea. It's a symbol of national pride, historical continuity, and the sacrifices of past generations. Council member Yeon Gyu-sik, chair of the Special Committee for the Protection of Dokdo, voiced this sentiment, stating, "The Japanese government’s repeated slander against our land, Dokdo, is a shameless provocation that turns a blind eye to historical facts. As the local assembly on the frontlines of Dokdo’s defense, the Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Council will spare no effort to strengthen effective control and will not back down in the face of any Japanese provocation."
Japan’s Diplomatic Bluebook, which has been published annually since 1957, has long been a source of diplomatic friction between the two countries. Since 2008, the Bluebook has asserted for 19 consecutive years that "Dokdo is Japanese territory." More recently, since 2018, it has used the phrase "illegal occupation" to refer to South Korea’s control over the islets. This language, according to the Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Council, is not only factually incorrect but also deeply insulting. As Chairman Park Seong-man put it, "The claim that Dokdo is Japanese territory has never once been recognized by the international community. Japan’s Diplomatic Bluebook distorts history and mocks international law. We strongly urge the Japanese government to immediately withdraw its claims and move toward a future-oriented relationship based on mutual respect."
But the council’s response didn’t stop at condemnation. Officials outlined a comprehensive plan to reinforce South Korea’s effective control over Dokdo. This includes close cooperation with the national government and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province to ensure the peaceful management of the islets, as well as legislative and institutional support for their protection. Among the measures highlighted were promoting visits to Dokdo, subsidizing ferry fares for island residents and military families, managing the marine environment, and expanding educational and publicity efforts aimed at raising awareness of Dokdo’s significance.
This multifaceted approach is not just about resisting Japanese claims—it’s also about embedding Dokdo’s importance into the consciousness of future generations, both at home and abroad. From April 8 to April 10, Gyeongsangbuk-do officials embarked on a mission to Chinese cities, visiting Korean schools to educate overseas Korean students about the historical and geographical value of Dokdo. According to 국민기자뉴스, the visit was part of the "Dokdo Protection Focus School Development Project," an initiative designed to support educational and experiential activities for domestic and overseas youth, with the goal of raising awareness of South Korea’s territorial sovereignty.
One of the key stops on this trip was the Qingdao Cheongwoon Korean School, established in 2006 and home to about 740 Korean elementary and middle school students. In 2026, the school was selected as a focus school for Dokdo protection education, making it a hub for specialized lessons and activities centered on the islands. To bolster this effort, Gyeongsangbuk-do installed a permanent Dokdo exhibition room at the school, providing students with ongoing access to educational materials and displays that highlight Dokdo’s history, ecology, and significance as South Korean territory.
The outreach didn’t end there. The delegation also visited Qingdao Hae-rang School, which made history in May 2025 by becoming the first overseas school to visit Ulleungdo and Dokdo as part of a school trip. This milestone, as reported by 국민기자뉴스, demonstrated the growing international dimension of Dokdo education efforts. The officials also stopped by Yantai Korean International School to discuss further cooperation in promoting Dokdo awareness and providing educational support.
Currently, Gyeongsangbuk-do designates a total of nine schools—two in South Korea and seven overseas—as "Dokdo Protection Focus Schools." These institutions serve as focal points for youth education and private diplomacy, helping to spread awareness of Dokdo’s importance among Korean communities worldwide. As Lim Chae-wan, head of Gyeongsangbuk-do’s Dokdo Marine Policy Division, explained, "We will continue to cooperate with overseas Korean schools so that correct awareness of Dokdo can spread around the world, and we will sustain our support for education and publicity."
The stakes in this dispute are not just legal or territorial—they’re deeply emotional and cultural. For South Koreans, Japan’s claims are seen as a denial of hard-won sovereignty and a refusal to acknowledge historical realities. For Japanese officials, the assertions in the Bluebook are presented as a matter of national policy and legal interpretation. The disagreement, which has simmered for decades, flares up with particular intensity each time the Bluebook is published or when either side takes new steps to reinforce its position.
Despite the heated rhetoric, both sides have so far managed to avoid outright conflict over the islets. Still, the issue remains a persistent thorn in the side of bilateral relations, complicating efforts at broader cooperation in areas like trade, security, and cultural exchange. South Korean officials, particularly those in Gyeongsangbuk-do, have made clear that they view the defense of Dokdo as a core responsibility—one that requires vigilance, education, and a willingness to stand up to what they see as historical revisionism.
As the debate continues, the islets themselves remain a quiet but potent symbol of national identity for South Koreans. Whether through legislative action, educational outreach, or public statements, Gyeongsangbuk-do and its partners are determined to keep Dokdo at the forefront of public consciousness—at home, across Asia, and around the world.
In the end, the struggle over Dokdo is as much about memory and meaning as it is about rocks and water, and for those involved, the commitment to its defense shows no signs of waning.