Joseon Systematically Managed Ulleungdo and Dokdo... New Evidence Emerges

Additional Records of Related Persons Found on Taeha-ri Rock Face
15 Rubbings Secured Through In-Depth Survey

New evidence has emerged shedding light on the systematic management of Ulleungdo and Dokdo by the government during the Joseon Dynasty.

At the comprehensive academic survey results presentation of Ulleungdo and Dokdo held on the 2nd at the Northeast Asian History Foundation's main conference room in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, rubbings related to the soil history of the Ulleungdo area were revealed. Photo by Yonhap News

On June 2, the Northeast Asian History Foundation held an academic conference themed "Ulleungdo and Dokdo from the Perspective of Joseon Dynasty Soil Control" at the foundation's main conference room in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, where it presented the results of a comprehensive academic survey on Ulleungdo and Dokdo conducted in April.

From April 20 to 24, the research team conducted an intensive survey of inscriptions related to soil control (Suto) remaining in the Ulleungdo area and secured a total of 15 rubbings. The Suto system refers to the practice during the Joseon Dynasty in which government officials regularly patrolled and investigated Ulleungdo and Dokdo, reporting their findings to the central government. It is known that from the late 17th century, the Joseon government dispatched officials for this purpose for about 200 years.

The most noteworthy finding from this survey was the discovery of a Suto official's inscription engraved on a rock face in the Taeha-ri area of Ulleungdo. The research team identified new characters, believed to be a personal name, near the previously known "Lee Boguk" inscription. Ko Gwangui, Senior Research Fellow at the Northeast Asian History Foundation, explained, "We newly identified the name 'Sagong Park Myeongdeuk' on the rock surface where the Lee Boguk inscription is carved."

"Sagong" is interpreted as the title given to the person responsible for operating the boat at the time. The research team believes this record could provide clues for estimating the operational system of Suto boats and the size of the participants during the Joseon Dynasty.

Nearby, the characters "Gun (軍)," "Jeong (鄭)," and "Lee (李)" were also found. Although some inscriptions are damaged and difficult to decipher, they are presumed to indicate military titles or be the names of Suto team members.

At the comprehensive academic research results presentation for Ulleungdo and Dokdo, Ji-Hyang Park, Chairman of the Northeast Asian History Foundation, delivers the opening remarks. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Some previously interpreted content was also revised through this investigation. The research team reinterpreted certain Chinese characters on the Gwangseomyeong inscription in Ulleungdo, clarifying the meaning of phrases that reflect the late Joseon era's administrative management of Ulleungdo and local residents' perceptions.

In particular, it was analyzed that the inscription contains content to the effect that "the sacred king's edification has reached Ulleungdo." The researchers explained that this serves as evidence that Ulleungdo was governed under the Joseon administrative system at the time.

The Northeast Asian History Foundation plans to continue additional investigations and rubbing work on the Taeha-ri area inscriptions. In particular, further surveys will be conducted on inscriptions remaining on rocks under Korean jurisdiction on Dokdo, and a compilation of these findings will be published.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.