International NGO Forum on Territory

From October 8 to 10, 2008, the Foundation hosted the "International NGO Forum on Territory." This conference focused on the fundamental limitations of an alliance composed of Korea, China, and Japan, stemming from their differing positions on territorial issues. This conference sought to strengthen ties among NGO activists and specialists from the Americas, Europe, and other parts of the world in their efforts to resolve territorial disputes. Approximately 20 NGO activists and experts from some ten countries participated in the forum to consolidate a basis for a global alliance to settle the territorial conflicts in East Asia. The conference results were published and distributed in an English volume, Conflict Resolution and Peace Building: The Role of NGOs in Historical Reconciliation and Territorial Issues.

Workshop to predict ICJ ruling on Pedra-Branca case

On May 23, 2008 a workshop was held on Jeju Island to reinforce Korea's capability to make an international legal response to Japan's claim to Dokdo, and to predict the International Court of Justice's ruling on the case concerning sovereignty over Pedra Branca. With a large number of seasoned scholars and experts in international law present, the workshop tried to find a resolution to the Dokdo issue after reviewing over 2,000 pages of documents, thereby fortifying Korea's capabilities to counter Japan's claim to Dokdo in the future.

Established territorial panels at IPRA conference

From July 15 through 18, 2008, in Leuven, Belgium, the Foundation established two "territorial panels" titled "Territorial Issues in Europe and East Asia: Colonialism, War Occupation, and Conflict Resolution" at the biannual global conference of the International Peace Research Association (IPRA). At the conference, five European scholars and three Korean counterparts including a Foundation researcher, submitted eight papers, and the conference results were published and distributed in an English volume. The Korean representatives led the discussion at the meeting favorable to their nation by underscoring that the Dokdo and East Sea dispute had developed from the former Japanese colonial rule of the Korean peninsula. Their performance came at a particularly good time, for on July 14, Japan's education ministry released curricula guidelines for middle school textbooks describing Dokdo as undesignated territory.

Academic seminar for territorial land and sea experts

On October 29, 2008, the Foundation held an academic seminar for experts in territorial land and sea on Jeju Island sponsored by the Korea Coast Guard (KCG) and Korea Maritime Institute (KMI). This seminar was the second of its kind following 2007, where some 80 international, law-related officials from the Foundation and KMI, and local experts in international maritime law gathered and visited the KCG on this meaningful event that harmonized work experience and theories.

Dokdo-related international symposium for world-renowned scholars

On November 18 and 19, 2008, the Foundation, in cooperation with Inha University, held an international symposium titled "Dokdo: Historical Perception and International Legal Definition." Scholars of history, international law, and politics from China, Europe, and the United States, as well as Korean and Japanese researchers participated in the conference, and analyzed the Dokdo issue from various perspectives and presented solutions and outlook.

The 14th International Seminar on the Naming of Seas and East Sea

The Foundation and the Society for East Sea co-hosted "The 14th International Seminar on the Naming of Seas and East Sea" in Tunisia. The Foundation and the Society for East Sea hold this seminar every year as part of their effort to standardize the use of the name "East Sea" worldwide. The two organizations invite experts in geographical names to discuss the legitimacy of the name "East Sea" and to raise international awareness of the subject.

This auspicious seminar was held as a special session prior to the 31st International Geographical Congress.

International Conference for the Northeast Asian Peace Belt

From December 22 through 23, 2008, the Foundation and the Center for Gyeongnam Studies of Changwon National University co-sponsored the International Conference for the Northeast Asian Peace Belt at Nurimaru APEC House, Busan.

This conference provided discussions of a future-oriented resolution to current historical conflicts in East Asia, and it sought ways to use war remains and museums in Korea, China, and Japan to lay cornerstones for peace in Northeast Asia.

Thirty people, including specialists in Korea's war remains and peace issues, the Chinese people's anti-Japanese war, Japan's peace issues, and Taiwan's war remains gathered for presentations and discussions.

In particular, Mr. Ju Cheong Shan, director of the Memorial Hall of the Nanjing Massacre, also attended and gave a presentation during which he condemned the Japanese conservatives for downplaying the truth of the Nanjing massacre and denying the nation's involvement.

Korea-Vietnam International Symposium

On August 19, 2008, the Foundation and the Korean Historical Association (KHA) co-hosted the "International Symposium on History of Korea-Vietnam Relations." Eight Vietnamese scholars and Korean counterparts took part in the symposium whereby the participants shared opinions on various aspects: Vietnam in the Southeast and Northeast Asian relations; Koreans' perception of Vietnam during the Japanese colonial rule of the Korean peninsula; comparison of Confucian rural societies in Vietnam and Korea; perception of Vietnam during the late Joseon period; and exchanges of Chinese and Joseon envoys during 18th-century Vietnam.

Korea-Mongolia International Symposium

On August 26 and 27, 2008, at its grand hall, the Foundation held an international symposium on Korean and Mongolian history scholars' perception of Northeast Asian history. The symposium featured papers by the two nations' scholars on historical records written by Chinese scholars about Mongolia, relations between the Yuan Dynasty and Goryeo, and analysis of records of Korea-Mongolia relations in Seo Ho-su's Yeonhanggi. This symposium provided in-depth discussions that helped the participants discover the possibility of a Northeast Asian community that includes Mongolia.

International Forum on Historical Reconciliation

On September 8 and 9, 2007, the Foundation and the Korean National Commission for UNESCO co-sponsored a global forum "Sharing Memories and Pluralistic Universalism." The forum has been held since 2007 with the theme of "Historical Reconciliation in East Asia." Scholars from Korea, China, Japan, the United States, and Germany attended this year's forum, which erupted into heated discussions and sincere dialogue concerning questions such as "Is it possible to have a historical view in terms of East Asia as a whole beyond an isolated individual country?" "What should historical science teach the younger generation for the future?" and "How can one find a new identity of East Asia?" The forum arrived at a consensus that a historical vision for the future is impossible if countries fail to overcome their self-centered perception of history. The event also became a venue for dialogue to create means for settling historical disputes and to discover available measures.

2nd International NGO Conference on History and Peace

On October 8 through 12, 2008, in and around the Seoul Olympic Parktel and Olympic Park, the Foundation, and history- and Dokdo-related civic groups co-hosted the 2nd International NGO Conference on History and Peace in an effort to form a local and global network among these groups. The conference was designed to encourage international-community participation by raising East-Asian historical disputes as global agenda through the network.

This event invited 188 people from 24 countries and roughly 5,000 locals to 36 programs for which better plans were prepared through a meeting for agenda development and a conference of overseas coordinators. The programs consisted of 18 main and other events including an opening symposium, a concert for peace in East Asia, and 18 themed occasions. Among these, 14 projects were selected via open competition hosted by the participating organizations, thereby maximizing the results. According to a participant survey of the 2nd conference, respondents said they were satisfied with better programs and venue than the 1st conference. They indicated that intensive and separate programs such as in-depth symposia and various workshops were well harmonized. The Foundation has published a book to allow local and foreign participants to share the results of this 2nd conference, and is perusing the survey to assure a better 3rd conference.

Published PR materials and held displays

The Foundation has published, distributed and displayed promotional materials to give locals and foreigners an easy understanding of Korea-China historical issues such as Goguryeo, Balhae, and Mt. Baekdu. Satellite images of the Goguryeo-Balhae heritage went on display at Seoul National University and Kangwon University. The exhibition will be given a national tour, and the relevant materials are compiled and published in a book Goguryeo and Balhae Viewed from the Sky (2008). In order to provide accurate information on frequently visited Goguryeo remains in China, the Foundation has produced a travel guide, Finding Goguryeo, and simple leaflets for visitors to use during their tour. It has also published and distributed an English promotional booklet about Mt. Baekdu titled BAEKDU MOUNTAIN (2008).

Overseas exhibition of Goguryeo tomb murals

In November 2008 a special Goguryeo exhibition was held at the Korean Cultural Center in Osaka, Japan, to promote the excellence and enterprising spirit of Goguryeo culture, one of the roots forming the Korean society. This exhibition publicized Korean history and culture in Japan through Goguryeo mural paintings, one of Korea's unique cultural endowments. This time, unusual pictures like the photo of the Jinpari Tomb No. 4 went on display in Japan, and both ordinary citizens and scholars contemplated Goguryeo. The Gunma Prefectural Museum of History made a proposal for a joint exhibition for the benefit of other regions.

Training program for East-Asian history teachers

From August 4 through 8, and from August 11 through 13, 2008, the Foundation opened and ran a teachers training program to boost history teachers' expertise in "East Asian History," a new optional course at high schools starting 2012. Attended by 116 history teachers from across the nation, this program was designed at their request and focused on improving their understanding of East Asian history. The program presented techniques for correct history teaching and enabled participants to offer objective teaching of East-Asian historical issues. This academy consisted of five courses: an outline for developing curricula on East Asian history, the relation among histories of Korea, China and Japan, East Asian history, and how to teach East Asian history.

Workshop for experts in East Asian history

The Foundation offered a workshop three times from September to November 2008 for experts in major issues concerning the curriculum on the East Asian History. This six-session workshop was designed to increase teachers' expertise to advance instruction of East-Asian history and to create a basis for accurate historical perception. The program reviewed contentious issues in six lessons of the East-Asian history course to be available at schools starting 2012. This activity gave direction for publishing an East-Asian history guidebook. This program further broadened historical perception and it formed a basis for the establishment of a network of experts.

Produced and supported a documentary on comfort women

To elevate the "comfort women" issue to a global agenda and to meet the need for distributing new videos about it, the Foundation sponsored the production of a documentary film, Ggeutnaji Anhmeun Jeon Jaeng (63 Years On) by the Korea Center for United Nations Human Rights Policy. This important documentary is relevant, as the "comfort women" issue has drawn world, human rights’ attention. Completed in February 2008, the documentary aims to make known the truth of the "comfort women" issue in the international community, which includes the United States, England, France, China, Japan, and the Arab world. It will also be used to rebuke the Japanese government and its conservatives who have distorted the truth, and denied Japanese troops' abduction of the comfort women. This documentary attracted the eyes and ears of the international community by winning the Award for Best Documentary Feature Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Sydney, Australia, 2008

Produced documentary on historical issues, and copied and distributed DVD’s

The Foundation produced the documentary Going Beyond Historical Conflicts: Peace and Prosperity in Northeast Asia, and sent 6,000 copies to over 11,000 elementary, middle and high schools, overseas Korean schools, and educational institutes. The documentary was produced in December 2007 in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese. In 2008 both a Korean version and another in the local language were delivered to educational institutions and official bodies abroad. This documentary encourages students to better understand seven historical issues: Dokdo, naming of the East Sea, Japanese textbooks, Yasukuni Shrine, "comfort women" for the Japanese Army, China's Northeast Project, and Mt. Baekdu. Experts' reasonable comments and diverse materials are presented to resolve conflicts among Korea, China, and Japan, and to promote reconciliation and cooperation.

Foreign journalists in Korea visited Dokdo

On August 24 and 25, 2008, the Foundation gave Korea-based foreign journalists a chance to visit Dokdo, to help them understand Korea's position on Dokdo sovereignty. Twenty-four reporters from 18 foreign news agencies including the Associated Press and Reuters took part. They received a pamphlet, "The Truth of Dokdo," which countered Japanese Foreign Ministry claims. While on board a ship patrolling the island, foundation representatives explained the historical background of Korea's sovereignty over Dokdo and its legitimacy and conducted a Q and A session. In addition, the reporters shared interviews with Dokdo resident Kim Seong-do and head of Dokdo Coast Guard Kim Yang-su.

Dokdo Essay Contest for Foreigners

The Foundation conducted a "Dokdo Essay Contest for Foreigners" to raise awareness of the island. Co-sponsored by The Korea Times, this contest was offered with the theme of "Why is Dokdo Korean territory?" It was designed to encourage many new foreign views on Dokdo amid a lack of overseas interest in the island. Amazingly, 702 essays from 27 countries including the United States, Canada, and Egypt were submitted. The grand prize went to American Cheryl Devaney for her essay, "Korea's Decades of Defending Dokdo." The Foundation has compiled and published five prizewinning compositions and 10 excellent works into the publication, Dokdo Viewed from the Foreigners' Eyes.