Korean Scholar Says "Usando" Was Ulleungdo's "Jukdo"

Below is my translation of a Yonhap News article, HERE, that talks about a new Dokdo theory. It is one of the dumbest things I have ever translated, and I do not have any idea what the guy was trying to say in the last paragraph. Seonggyungwan University should be ashamed for giving this guy a Ph.D. (If you cannot understand what I wrote, Japanese speakers can read a Japanese translation HERE.)

"The Name of Our Dokdo Was Originally 'Muleung (武陵)"

(Seoul = Yonhap) Reporter Kim Seong-yong = Document analysis saying that our Dokdo was called "Muleungdo" (武陵島) for a long period stretching from the Silla period, through Koryo, and into Joseon has attracted the interest of the academic community.

Former head of the Metropolitan Air Quality Management Office and "Dokdo" researcher, Seonu Yeong-jun (55), who has recently received a doctorate from Seonggyungwan University, published a book on the 8th entitled, "Dokdo during the Koryo and Joseon Periods," which made public the result of his research on the names of Dokdo and its dominium.

According to the book, the first documentary evidence that both Ulleungdo and Dokdo were Korean land was in the "History of Koryo," when, in the 13th year of King Taejo (930 A.D.), "Uleungdo" (芋陵島) appeared. Uleungdo was an abbreviation of "The Two Islands of Usan/Muleung" (于山武陵二島), which was "one name two island" (二島一名) name for the islands Usanguk (于山國 - Ulleungdo) and Muleungdo (武陵島).

According to the "History of Koryo," in 930 A.D. Uleungdo sent Baek Gil and Todu with local products, and Baek Gil was made a jeongwui and Todu was made a jeongjo. (芋陵島遣白吉土豆貢方物拜 白吉爲正位土豆爲正朝)

During the Silla period, the formal name of Ulleungdo and Dokdo was "The Two Islands of Usan/Muleung," which was used together with its abbreviated name "Uleungdo." Dr. Seonu claimed that he has confirmed that the name, "The Two Islands of Usan/Muleung," was used formally in documents, but that "Uleungdo" was used in everyday life.

Before 512 A.D., the people who set up a country on Ulleungdo were cognizant of "Dokdo" and used it as an essential territory. At the time, the concept of "the two islands were not far apart, so they could be seen on a clear day" (二島相距不遠風日淸明卽可望見) was established.

Dr. Seonu said that in 512 A.D. Usanguk became a part of Silla, the name "Muleungdo" was formed, and then the written expression "The two islands of Usan/Muleung are in the sea due east of the hyeon" was established.

While the name "Uleungdo" (于陵島) was used for Ulleungdo and Dokdo in Silla and Usanguk, the name "Ulleungdo" started to be used as a dialect in the east coast region of Gangwon. In 1018 A.D., Usanguk fell, and the Gangwondo dialect name also became the commonly used name during the Koryo period.

Dr. Seonu determined that the final name for Ulleungdo and Dokdo went from "Muleungdo" (武陵島) to "The Two Islands of Usan/Muleung in the Sea Due East of the Hyeon" (于山武陵二島在縣正東海中), to "Uleungdo" (于陵島), to Ulleungdo (蔚陵島), to Ulleungdo (鬱陵島).

Since "Ulleungdo" (鬱陵島) was the very last name for Ulleungdo and Dokdo, it is assumed that when Kim Bu-sik was compiling the Samguksagi, he mistakenly wrote "Muleungdo" (蔚陵島) as "Ulleungdo" (鬱陵島).

On maps in the latter Joseon, Usando was shown as Ulleungdo's Jukdo (Daetseom), and it is believed that during the time of [King ] Jeongjo and [King] Kojong, the name "Songjukdo" [松竹島] applied to Dokdo, which demonstrated management and intent.

Dr. Seonu said, "When you look at the name transition of Dokdo, the possesion of Dokdo was already established during the time of Usanguk and continued unbroken through Silla, Koryo, and Joseon." He added, "Based on international law, Dokdo was never Japanese territory, and Japan only failed in its attempt to make it its territory."

Dr. Seonu advocates, "We need to use Dokdo's original name of "Muleung" as a basis and compose a 'Muleungdwon' [Muleungdo Garden?] using Dokdo and ecological technology. Then we have to occasionally promote a plan that uses 'a place of dreams and romance.'"

ksy@yna.co.kr