1894-1948 Korean territory

To follow is the change in Korean territory from the late 19th century to 1948:

(1) from Isabella Lucy Bird's book "Korea and her neighbours":

(Isabella travelled Korea during 1894 - 1897)

124 degree 38' E. to 130 degree 33' E. longitude

34 degree 17' N. to 43 degree N. latitude

東経１２４度３８分～１３０度３３分
北緯３４度１７分～４３度

http://dokdo-or-takeshima.blogspot.com/2007/11/from-korea-and-her-neighbors-by.html

(2) from "大韓地誌" (1899):

124 degree 30' E. to 130 degree 35' E. longitude

33 degree 15' N. to 42 degree 25' N. latitude

東経１２４度３０分～１３０度３５分
北緯３３度１５分～４２度２５分

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Those two didn't include Ulleungdo but actually Ulleungdo was a Korean island, so minor change was introduced in the following books.

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(3) from "朝鮮現勢便覧"　1935:

124 degree 11' E. to 130 degree 56' 23" E. longitude

33 degree 6' 40" N. to 43 degree 36" N. latitude

The eastern limit is the eastern end of Ulleungdo (130 degree 56' E. longitude)

東経１２４度１１分～１３０度５６分２３秒
北緯３３度６分４０秒～４３度３６秒
極東（東限）：慶尚北道欝陵島東端（１３０度５６分）

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Thus, Korean territory includes Ulleungdo, but not Liancourt rocks.

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(4) from "朝鮮常識問答" (Qs& As about common sense of Chosun) 1947:

http://dokdo-or-takeshima.blogspot.com/2007/10/where-have-all-usandos-gone.html

(Please look at the item (14) of the above posting.)

124 degree 11' E. to 130 degree 56' 23" E. longitude

東経１２４度１１分～１３０度５６分２３秒

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This book also indicated the same area as the above. Ulleungdo was the eastern limit still in 1947.

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(5) from "朝鮮常識" (Common sense of Chosun) 1948:

It mentions that the eastern limit of Korea was 130 dgree 56' 23" E. longitude, that is Jukdo, the neighboring island of Ulleungdo.

極東（東限）：東経１３０度５６分２３秒（慶尚北道欝陵島竹島）

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Liancourt rocks locate at 131 degree 52' E. longitude and 37 degree 14' N. latitude.

So Liancourt rocks didn't belong to Korea at least during 50 years from 1890's to 1940's.

1904 February 20th Japanese map of Korea and Manchuria

Here is a map called "満韓新図" (new map of Manchuria and Korea) which was included in a book "日露戦争実記" (a record of Russo-Japanese war).

The map was made on February 20th 1904, about one year before the incorporation of Liancourt rocks.

Liancourt rocks were indicated as Matsushima, the old name of the island.

You can see the borderline* between Ulleungdo and Matsushima (Liancourt rocks), which means that Japan already recognised Liancourt rocks to be out of Korean territory before the incorporation.

Korean government used to claim that Japan robbed Dokdo from Korea but it was not true.

(Please click the map to enlarge)

*The legend at the right lower corner mentions that this line is " 国界" (national border).

1736 ~ 1767 - Yeojido (輿地圖) - Ulleung/Usan (鬱陵于山兩島)

Below are maps of Gangwon Province (江原道 - 강원도) and Ulleungdo (鬱陵島 - 울릉도) from the Korean atlas "Yeojido" (輿地圖 - 여지도), which is believed to have been made sometime between 1736 and 1767. The map of Gangwon Province is called "Gwandongdo" (關東道 - 관동도), which was an old name for the Gangwon Province region. The maps and atlas are stored in Seoul National University's Kyujanggak Center for Korean Studies.

The interesting thing about the Gwandongdo map is that Ulleungdo is shown with the label "鬱陵干山兩島" (울릉간산양도) which means "the two islands of Ulleung and Usan." (干山島 was a misspelling of 于山島.) The fact that both names were written on one island suggests that "Usan" (于山) was just a neighboring island of Ulleung island (鬱陵島) . We can assume that Ulleung was the larger island since it was written first. That assumption is confirmed by the Ulleungdo (鬱陵島 - 울릉도) map below, which is in the same book (Book 5) of the atlas and shows a small island off Ulleungdo's east shore labeled as "所謂 干山島" (소위 간산도), which means "the so-called Usando." Notice that the Ulleungdo map has the same spelling error (干山島) for "Usando" (于山島). Notice also that in addition to Usando, the Ulleungdo map shows five small islands off Ulleungdo's southern shore, which was a common feature of Korea's Ulleungdo maps.

In the geography section of the Annals of King Sejong in 1454, Ulleungdo was mentioned in the section describing Uljin-hyeon (蔚珍縣) as follows.

于山武陵二島在縣正東海中二島相去不遠 風日淸明則可望見
The two islands of Usan (于山) and Muleung (武陵) are in the sea due east of this hyeon. The distance to the two islands is close enough that they can be seen on a clear day when the wind is blowing.

Korea uses the above passage to claim that Usan was "Dokdo" (Liancourt Rocks), and that the distance being talked about was the distance between Dokdo and Ulleungdo ("Muleung" was an alternate spelling for Ulleungdo), but Japan claims that the distance was a referrence to the distance between Uljin-hyeon and the two islands. The map below, which shows the two islands as just neighboring islands, supports the Japanese claim.
By the way, notice in the above passage that Usan (于山) was written before Ulleung (鬱陵), which suggests that Usan was considered the larger island at the time the passage was written. That would explain why the old maps of Ulleungdo showed Usan to the west of Ulleungdo.
Both the "Gwandongdo" map and the Ulleungdo map came with attached notes, which are also shown below. The "Gwandongdo" map notes mentioned such things as the population of the region and the number of fields and paddies. The Ulleungdo map notes gave the size of the island and listed the flora and fauna found there.

1861 - Daedong Yeojido (大東輿地圖) - Ulleungdo Map

Below is a map of Ulleungdo (鬱陵島) from the atlas "Daedong Yeojido" (大東輿地圖), which was made by Kim Jeong-ho (金正浩) in 1861. The map shows Ulleungdo with five small islands off its southern shore, which was a common feature of Ulleungdo maps; however, what is unusual about the map is that it does not show "Usando" (于山島) as a neighboring island off Ulleungdo's east shore, even though Mr. Kim's 1834 map, "Cheonggudo" (靑邱圖), did show the island. Was this an intentional omission or an accidental omission? I think it was intentional.

In 1863, two years after he made the "Daedong Yeojido," Kim Jeong-ho wrote a geography text, called "Daedongjiji (大東地志), in which he described Ulleungdo. In his description, he wrote that Ulleungdo was once called "Usan" (于山), and then he went on to describe the various features of the island, including that it had three towering peaks, seven streams, five to six bamboo groves, dozens of remains of [old] dwelling sites, old boat houses, and stone-piled graves. He also mentioned Jeojeon-dong (楮田洞), Gong-am (孔巖 – "Hole Rock"), Jutogul (朱土窟 – "Red Earth Cave"), and the "four or five small islands" off Ulleungdo's southern shore, but he did not mention Ulleungdo's most prominent island off its east shore, which his 1834 map labeled as "Usan" (于山). If you compare Mr. Kim's 1863 description of Ulleungdo with his 1861 map, you will notice that everything mentioned in his description appears on the map, which suggests to me that it was no mistake that he left the "island of Usan" (于山島) off his 1861 map.

I think that by 1861 Kim Jeong-ho may have come to the conclusion that Usando was not a neighboring island of Ulleungdo, but was just an old name for Ulleungdo, as he said in this 1863 description. Coincidentally, in 1882, Ulleungdo Inspector Lee Gyu-won (李奎遠) told King Kojong that Usando was just an old name for Ulleungdo, and that Ulleungdo had no neighboring island by that name. It is possible that at that time in Korean history that was the common belief, but that is only my guess.

The following is Kim Jeong-ho's 1863 description of Ulleungdo (minus the history) and his 1861 map. By the way, in Kim Jeong-ho's history of Ulleungdo, he did not mention An Yong-bok (安龍福), which may mean that he did not consider him an important figure in Ulleungdo history:

Islands

Ulleungdo is in the sea due east of this “hyeon” (縣) and is the old Usan 우산 (于山). Other names are Muleung (武陵 - 무릉), Uleung (羽陵 - 우릉), and Uleung (芋陵 - 우릉). It has a circumference of about 200 ri, and the distance from east to west is about seventy ri, while the distance from north to south is about fifty ri. Three dangerously high peaks tower above the island and are pure rock. If you climb up to a high place on a clear day and look into the distance, it [Ulleungdo] looks like a shimmering cloud. With a fair wind, it can be reached in two days. The Japanese call it Takeshima (竹島 - 죽도) and it is close to Japan’s Oki district. Japanese boats occassionally come to fish (倭舡漁探者時到).

From the central peak, it is about thirty ri to the shore due east, forty ri due west, twenty ri due south, and twenty ri due north. The are six to seven streams, five to six bamboo forests, and dozens of [old] dwelling sites (居址). There is Jeojeon-dong (楮田洞), Gong-am (孔巖 – "Hole Rock"), Jutogul (朱土窟 – "Red Earth Cave"), “seokjang” (石葬 – stone-piled graves), old boat houses (古址船泊處), and “places to wait for fair wind” (待風所). On the south side of the island are four or five small islands. The center of the island is all deep valleys with streams and rock cliffs. There are many cats and rats that are so big they are unrecognizable. [狙 means “monkey,” but it was probably supposed to be 猫 (cat).] There are also runaways (避人). There are peaches, plums, mulberry, edible herbs, rare trees, and many strange, unknown plants.

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島嶼

鬱陵島在本縣正東海中右于山一云武陵一云羽陵一云艼陵周二百餘里東西七十餘里南北五十餘里三峯岌嶪聳空純是石山自本縣天晴而登高望見則如雲氣便風二日可到倭人謂之竹島與日本隱岐州相近(倭舡漁探者時到)自中峯至正東海濱三十餘里正西海濱四十餘里正南海濱二十餘里正北海濱二十餘里川溪六七竹田五六居址數十有楮田洞孔巖朱土窟石葬古址船泊處待風所島之南有四五小島島中皆石壁石澗洞壑甚多有狙鼠極大不知避人亦有桃李桑拓菜茹之屬珍木異草不知名者甚多○

1861 Map of Ulleungdo (Click on the map for a much larger picture)

Good Video of Ulleungdo's Northern Shore

High Resolution / Low Resolution

1662 - Cheokjuji (陟州誌) - Ulleungdo (鬱陵島)

Below is a description of Ulleungdo (鬱陵島 - 울릉도) from the "Cheokjuji" (陟州誌 - 척주지), which was a text written by Heo Mok (許穆 - 허목) in 1662. Heo Mok's pen name was Misu (眉叟), but he was also called "the old man of Taeryeong" (台嶺老人). He never took the civil service exam, yet, at the age of 81, he was appointed as "U-euijeong" (右議政), which was one of the top positions in the Joseon government. Before he became the U-euijeong, he was the "Dohobusa" (都護府使) for Samcheok (三陟), which means he was in charge of the Samcheok area. He lived from 1595 to 1682. His picture is on the left. You can read more about Heo Mok in Korean HERE.

The "Cheokjuji" (陟州誌) is a fairly long text that describes the geography, history, and customs of the Samcheok area. In fact, Cheokju (陟州) was the name for Samcheok during the Koryo period. The "Cheokjuji" is regarded as the best of the area chronicles written by an individual during the Joseon period.

The "Cheokjuji" not only describes the Samcheok area, but it also describes Ulleungdo in an appendix at the end of the text, which I found interesting. For example, Ulleungdo was described as being made up of three peaks, which is more evidence that another name for Ulleungdo was "Sambongdo" (三峯島), which means "Island of Three Peaks." Korea claims that Sambongdo was an old Korean name for "Dokdo" (Liancourt Rocks), but this document and several others suggest that Sambongdo was Ulleungdo, not Liancourt Rocks. Another thing I found interesting was the description of "Usan" (于山 - 우산), which was described as being just another name for Ulleungdo. In fact, the text made it quite clear that Usan (于山) and Ulleung (鬱陵) were referring to one and the same island. Here is how Usan was described in the text:

或云于山鬱陵一島方百里在海中蔚珎之東
Also called Usan (于山), Ulleungdo has an area of 100 ri and is in the middle of the sea east of Uljin (蔚珎).

Notice that Usan/Ulleung was described as "one island" (一島) in 1662, which means the description of being able to see it on a clear day was a description of the view of Ulleungdo from the Korean mainland and not a description of the view of "Dokdo" (Liancourt Rocks) from Ulleungdo. Korea claims that "Usan" was an old Korean name for Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo), but this document says that Usan was just another name for Ulleungdo. Actually, I am not sure if the text was saying that another name for the island was "Usan" (于山) or "Usan-Ulleung" (于山鬱陵), but it does not really matter since either name would still be referring to just "one island" (一島). The fact that the author of the text was in charge of the Samcheok area and obviously had a great deal of knowledge about its geography and history gives even more credence to the description of Ulleungdo, as it was known in 1662. Again, this record says that Usan was just another name for Ulleungdo, not a separate island.

The following is my English translation of the text. The Korean translation was done by Samcheok University Professor Bae Jae-hong, who has published his translation of the entire "Cheokjuji" text:

Appendix
Ulleung (鬱陵) or Uleung (羽陵) is in the middle of the sea and is made up three mountain peaks that are tall and steep. Among them the southern peak is the smallest by a small bit. When the sea is clear, you can see the dense trees and all the white beaches below the mountains. They say that if you have a fair wind, you can travel there in one day.
Also called Usan (于山), Ulleungdo has an area of 100 ri and is in the middle of the sea east of Uljin (蔚珎).
In the 13th year of Koryo's Taejo (930 A.D.), Usanguk (于山國) envoy Baek Gil To (白吉圡) brought tribute of the local products. [The "History of Koryo" (高麗史) says that two people came from Usanguk, Baek Gil (白吉) and To Du (土豆), so it is likely that the 豆 character was omitted in error.]
In the 13th year of Eujong (1159 A.D.), it was said that Ulleungdo land was fertile and grains grew well, so Myeongju-do (溟州道) grain storehouse supervisor (監倉使) Kim Yu-rip (金柔立) was sent there to investigate. He returned and reported that the island had a large mountain at its center and that it was about 10,000 paces from its peak to the eastern shore, about 15,000 to the southern shore, and about 8,000 to the northern shore. On the east and north sides, there were remains of villages that total in the dozens. The were a few stones Buddhas, stone pagodas, and a metal bell. There were lots of Chinese hare's ear (柴胡), Angelica tenuisima Nakai (藁本), and moorwort (石南草).
Later, Choi Chung-heon proposed that people from Donggun (東郡) move there, but when he attempted to carry out his plan, the sea conditions were bad, a boat sank, and people died, so he had the people return. During the time of Joseon's Taejong (太宗), when displaced people went to live on the island, Anmusa Kim In-u (安撫使 金麟雨) was sent to search them out. He brought back about forty families. When Kim In-u returned, he said that bamboo on the island was as big as a flagpole, rats were as big as cats, and peaches were as big as a gourd bowl. In the 20th year of Sejong (1438), Commander Namho (南灝) was sent again to capture about seventy people who had run away to the island, including Kim Gu-saeng (金九生). All the people living on the island were removed and their leaders were killed.
Kim In-u (金麟雨) was from Samcheok (三陟). His decendents are now government officials and many live in the administrative distict (府中). Kim In-u was originally a soldier under Nameum (南誾), but he distinguished himself as a soldier and was made commander of Anin-po (安仁浦 - Port Anin) and Panjanggi Hyeunsa (判長鬐縣事). During the time of Taejong (太宗), he became an anmusa (安撫使).
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부(附)

울릉(鬱陵)은 혹 우릉(羽陵)이라고 하는데 바다 가운데에 세 산봉우리로 이루어져 있으며 높고 험준하다. 그 중 남쪽 봉우리는 조금 낮다. 바다가 맑게 게이면 나무가 우거져 무성한 것을 바라볼 수 있고, 산 아래는 모두 흰모래이다. 바람이 수조로우면 하루만에 건너 갈 수 있다고 한다.

혹 우산(于山)이라고도 하는 울릉도는 길이가 사방 100리로 울진 동쪽 바다 가운데에 있다.

고려 태조 13년(930)에 우산국(于山國) 사신(使臣) 백길, 토두가 그 지방의 토산물을 바쳤다.

의종 13년(1159)에 울릉도는 토지가 기름져 곡식이 잘 됨으로 백성을 살게 할 수 있다고 하여 명주도(溟州道) 감창사(監倉使) 김유립으로 하여금 가서 살펴보도록 하였다. 그가 돌아와서 아뢰기를 섬 가운데에 큰산이 있는데 산 정상에서 동쪽 해안까지는 만여 보(步)이고 남쪽 해안까지는 만 오천여 보, 북쪽 해안까지는 팔천여 보이며, 동쪽과 북쪽에는 모두 옛 촌락 터가 있는데 합하여 수 십여 곳이나 되고 가끔은 석불(石佛), 석탑(石塔), 철종(鐵鍾) 등도 있으며 시로(柴胡), 고본(藳本), 석남초(石南草) 등이 많다고 하였다.

그 후에 최충헌이 동군(東郡)의 백성을 이주시킬 것을 제의하여 이를 실행에 옮겼지만 보다 사정이 나빠 배가 표몰(漂沒)하여 사람들이 죽었으므로 그 백성을 되돌아오게 하였다. 조선 태종 때에 유민(流民)들이 많이 해도(海島)에 들어 가 살게 되자. 안무사(安撫使) 김인우를 보내어 40여 호를 찾아서 데리고 돌아 왔다. 이때 김인후가 돌아 와 말하기를 섬 안의 대나무는 크기가 깃대와 같고, 쥐는 크기가 고양이와 같고, 복숭아 열매는 크기가 됫박과 같다고 하였다. 세종 20년(1438)에 또 다시 만호(萬戶) 남호를 보내어 도망간 백성 기구생 등 70여 인을 사로잡아 울릉도에 사는 사람이 없도록 하고 도망을 주도한 자는 죽였다.

김인후는 삼척인이다. 지금 그의 자손들은 이족(吏族)이 되었는데 부중에 많이 산다. 김인후는 처음 남은 휘하의 군사였는데 군공을 세워 안인포(安仁浦) 만호(萬戶)와 판장기현사(判長鬐縣事)가 되었고 태종대에 안무사(安撫使)가 되었다.

1794 June 3 - Han Chang-guk (韓昌國) Inspects Ulleungdo

The following is a June 3, 1794 record of Wolsong Commander Han Chang-guk's (韓昌國) 1794 inspection of Ulleungdo, as record in the Annals of King Jeongjo (正祖實錄).
The record is interesting for a couple of reasons. One reason is that it mentions a place called "Gajido" (可支島 - Sea Lion Island). Korea claims that Gajido was an old Korean name for "Dokdo" (Liancourt Rocks), but has no documents or maps to back up that claim. In fact, the Gajido in this report could not have been Liancourt Rocks since right after mentioning Gajido, the report said the inspection team traveled ten ri (4 kilometers) up a valley from the beach. There are no such valleys on Liancourts Rocks. In fact, the largest of the two islets that make up Liancourt Rocks is only about 300 meters long on average. Also, since Gajido was mentioned in this survey report of Ulleungdo, it seems almost certain that it was just a neighboring islet or rock of Ulleungdo, not Liancourt Rocks.
There is a rock off the southern tip of Ulleungdo today that is called "Gajae Bawui" (Sea Lion Rock), so it is possible that was the Gajido referred to in the report, but it is also possible that Gajido was off the north shore of Ulleungdo since after surveying the Gajido area they went to other areas on the northern shore. Still, it is unclear which of Ulleungdo's neighboring islets was Gajido, but it almost certainly was not "Dokdo" (Liancourt Rocks).
The other thing that is interesting about the report is that it mentions three other islands: "Bangpaedo" (防牌島), "Jukdo" (竹島), and "Ongdo" (瓮島). Bangpaedo was described as being to the north of Jeojeon-dong 楮田洞), Ongdo to the east, and Jukdo in the middle. It is not really clear where these three islands were because they were described as being within 100 paces of each other; however, there is an island about 2.2 kilometers off Ulleungdo's east shore called "Jukdo," and there is evidence that Ulleungdo's Gwaneumdo (觀音島) was once called "Bangpaedo" (防牌島). "Ongdo" (瓮島) is never mentioned in any other Ulleungdo inspection reports, so its location is unknown. By the way, the pure Korean word for "Ongdo" (瓮島) is "Dokseom," which means "Pot Island."

Gangwondo Governor Sim jin-hyeon Reports to the King
Since it is the practice to alternately designate a commander to inspect Ulleungdo once every two years, I have assigned Wolsong Commander (越松萬戶) Han Chang-guk (韓昌國) as the inspector. According to the Wolsong commander's written report, “On April 21st, we fortunately got a favorable wind, so we divided up and loaded food and provisions among four ships and set sail on the same day at between 1 and 3 p.m. (未時) with Japanese Interpreter Lee Bok-sang (李福祥) and eighty men under my command, including various ranks of civil servants and assistants.”
“In the middle of the sea, at between 5 and 7 p.m., we got a sudden wind from the north and heavy fog rolled in from all directions. We got rain and lightning. The four started out together were scattered, and we did not know which direction we were headed. The commander regained his wits, put on his military uniform, prayed to the sea god, and scattered food in the water to feed him. Then he ordered the sailors to hold up torches and call out to the other ships. Two ships held up torches and answered the call, but there was no sign of firelight from one ship.”
“Between 3 and 5 a.m. on the 22nd, the violent waves gradually lessened, and we could see the sails of two ships in the distance coming south. Then the assistants pointing toward the east said, 'That thing over there in the fog that looks like a threatening cloud is probably one of the island's high peaks.' When the commander looked carefully, it was, indeed, the shape of an island.”
“The commander, himself, beat the drum and urged the sailors on. We soon anchored at the Hwangto-gumi landing (黃土丘尾津) and went up the mountain to look around. It was about thirty ri from the valley to the central peak over a series of overlapping ridges. The waters from the valley came together to form a stream, and inside (the valley) is land for about sixty seom of paddies. The valley was narrow, and has a waterfall. The Hwangto-gumi Cave (黃土丘尾窟) was on the left and Byeongpung Rock (屛風石) was on the right. Up above was Hyangmok Pavilion (香木亭). The juniper trees (香木) there were scare because they had previously been cut every other year.”
“On the 24th, we arrived at Tong-gumi landing (桶丘尾津). The valley was shaped just like a wooden barrel. There was a rock in front about fifty paces offshore. It was tens of gil high. There were cliffs on all sides. There were rocks piled up at the valley entrance. We climbed with difficulty up the valley. The peaks were high the valley was deep. The trees reached to the sky, and the weeds were thick.”
“On the 25th, we arrived at the valley entrance of the Port of Jangjakji (長斫地浦). As expected, we found a bamboo grove, but the bamboo was both sparse and short. After we cut down some of the bigger bamboo, we headed southeast to Jeojeondong (楮田洞). Between the tens of ri from the valley entrance to the central peak, there were three areas wide enough for tens of seom of farmland. Also, there were three islands in front. The one to the north was called "Bangpaedo" (防牌島), the one in the middle "Jukdo," and the one to the east "Ongdo" (瓮島). The distance between the islands was only about 100 paces, and the circumference of each was tens of pa (把). It was difficult to climb up and look because the rocks were steep and very towering. We slept there.
On the 26th, we changed direction (reversed course) and went to Gajido (可支島), where we surprised four or five sea lions that dashed out. They looked like water cows. Our riflemen all fired at once and got two of them. The geographical features of the cove landing (丘尾津) was the strangest thing. We went about ten ri into the valley, where we found the remains of what were clearly ancient dwellings. On both sides, the valley was deep difficult to climb up.
Next we looked around several places, including Jukam (竹巖), Hupoam (帿布巖), Gongam (孔巖), and Chusan (錐山). Then we went to Tonggumi (通邱尾) and made offerings to the mountain and sea (gods). We stayed there and waited for the wind.”
“Generally speaking, the circumference of the island is seventy to eighty ri from north to south and fifty to sixty ri from east to west. All four sides are stratified rock cliffs. There are remains of ancient dwelling in various places in the valleys around the island. Land suitable for rice paddies and fields total in the hundreds of "seom." Trees on the island included juniper, Korean nut pine, amur cork, old pine, mulberry, and hazel. The main species of plants are dropwort, mallow, mugwort, ramie, and paper mulberry. In addition, there are strange trees and grasses that were difficult to record because their names were unknown. Birds on the island included wild geese, hawks, seagulls, and white herons. Furry animals were cats and rats. Sea products were only brown seaweed and abalone.”
“On the 30th, we boarded our ship and set sail. On the 8th of the new month, we returned to our home base. The products from the island were two seal skins, three trunks of common Korean bamboo, two blocks of rosewood incense, five doi of red ocher, and one map, which were all packaged and sealed and given to our superiors.”
I send this together with the products to the Bibyeonsa (備邊司).
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○江原道觀察使沈晋賢狀啓言:
鬱陵島搜討, 間二年, 使邊將輪回擧行, 已有定式, 故搜討官越松萬戶韓昌國處, 發關分付矣。 該萬戶牒呈: “四月二十一日, 幸得順風, 糧饌雜物分, 載四隻船, 與倭學李福祥及上下員役、格軍八十名, 同日未時量, 到于大洋中, 則酉時, 北風猝起, 雲霧四塞, 驟雨霹靂, 一時齊發, 四船各自分散, 莫知所向。 萬戶收拾精神, 戎服禱海, 多散糧米, 以餽海神後, 使格軍輩, 擧火應之, 則二隻船擧火而應, 一隻船漠然無火矣。 二十二日寅時, 怒濤漸息, 只見遠海之中, 二隻船帆自南而來。 格軍輩擧手指東曰: ‘彼雲霧中隱隱如雲者, 疑是島中上峰也。’ 萬戶詳細遠望, 則果是島形也。 親自擊, 激勵格軍, 卽爲到泊於島之西面黃土丘尾津。 登山看審, 則自谷至中峰三十餘里, 而山形重疊, 谷水成川, 其中有可作水田六十餘石下種之地。 谷則狹窄, 有瀑布, 而左爲黃土丘尾窟, 右爲屛風石。 其上又有香木亭, 故斫取香木, 而以間年斫取之故, 漸就稀少。 二十四日到桶丘尾津, 則谷形如桶, 前有一巖在海中, 與島相距可爲五十步, 而高近數十丈, 周回皆是絶壁。 谷口巖石層層, 僅僅攀登而見之, 則山高谷深, 樹木參天, 雜草茂密, 通涉無路。 二十五日到長作地浦, 谷口果有竹田, 非但稀踈, 擧皆體小。 其中擇其稍大者斫取後, 仍向東南楮田洞, 則自洞口至中峰爲數十里許, 而洞裏廣闊基址, 顯有三處, 可作水田數十石下種之地。 前有三島, 在北曰防牌島, 在中曰竹島, 在東曰瓮島。 三島相距, 不過百餘步, 島之周回, 各爲數十把, 險巖嵂, 難以登覽, 仍爲止宿。 二十六日轉向可支島, 四五箇可支魚, 驚駭躍出, 形若水牛。 砲手齊放, 捉得二首, 而丘尾津山形, 最爲奇異, 入谷數里, 則昔日人家遺址, 宛然尙存。 左右山谷, 甚爲幽深, 難於登陟。 仍遍看竹巖、帿布巖、孔巖、錐山等諸處, 行到桶丘尾, 禱山祭海, 待風留住。 蓋島周回, 摠爲論之, 則南北七八十里許, 東西五六十里許。 環海則皆是層巖絶壁, 四方山谷, 則間有昔日人居之土址, 而田土可墾處, 合爲數百石下種之地。 樹木則香、栢、蘗、檜、桑、榛, 雜草則靑芹、葵、艾、苧、楮。 其餘異樹奇草, 不知名, 難以盡記。 羽蟲則雁、鷹、鷗、鷺, 毛蟲則貓、鼠, 海産則藿、鰒而已。 三十日發船, 初八日還鎭。 島中所産可支魚皮二令、篁竹三箇、紫檀香二吐莫、石間朱五升、圖形一本, 監封上使” 云。 幷上送于備邊司

1917 & 1918 Maps of Ulleungdo

Mr. Tanaka has posted two very detailed maps of Ulleungdo from 1917 & 1918. You can find the links to the maps HERE.

1786 June 4 - Kim Chang-yun (金昌胤) Inspects Ulleungdo

The following is a June 4, 1786 record of Wolsong Commander Kim Chang-yun's (金昌胤) 1786 inspection of Ulleungdo, as recorded in the Ilseongrok (日省錄), which was a Korean record of daily affairs of state from 1760 to 1910.

This record is interesting for a couple of reasons. One reason is that it mentioned an island named "Bangpaedo" (防牌島), which was reported to be three ri (1.2 km) east of the main island (Ulleungdo). That was almost certainly a reference to Ulleungdo's neighboring island of Jukdo (竹島), which is about 2.2 kilometers off Ulleungdo's east shore.

Another reason this record is interesting is that it referred to a place on Ulleungdo called "Gaji-gumi" (可支仇味 - "Sea Lion Cove"), which is where the inspectors found two caves and sea lions. Even on Ulleungdo today, there is a cave on the west shore of Ulleungdo called "Gajae-gul," which means "Sea Lion Cave." Korea claims that Ulleungdo inspectors traveled to "Dokdo" (獨島 - Liancourt Rocks) to hunt sea lions, but this record and others are evidence that the inspectors hunted sea lions on Ulleungdo, not on Liancourt Rocks.

Wonchun Governor Lee Chi-jung (李致中) Reports the Results of Ulleungdo Inspection

Wonchun Governor Lee Chi-jung (李致中) reports that the inspection of Ulleungdo was scheduled to take place in 1785, but because of the terrible famine in the Yeongdong region that year, the previous governor, Seo Jeong-su, petitioned the king and it was cancelled. This year's inspection was conducted by Wolsong Commander Kim Chang-yun (金昌胤), who submitted the following report:

On April 19, we checked the wind at the Kumi Naval Base in Pyeonghae. At between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the 27th, eighty people, including Japanese interpreter Lee Yu-mun, various ranks of officials, sailors, and assistants all divided up, boarded four ships, and departed. Between 5 and 7 a.m. on the 28th, the assistants pointed toward something and said, ‘Below that dark cloud over there is the island’s tallest peak.’ Within a few hours, the island’s three tallest peaks were clearly visible. At about 3 a.m., the four boats assembled, and with mixed feelings of joy and sadness everyone talked about the fears and the dangers he had encountered. On the 29th, we raised anchor and landed at Jeojeon-dong (苧田洞), where everyone took baths and made offerings to the Mountain Spirit. Then we begin a thorough inspection.

It was about twenty ri from the village entrance (洞口) to the central peak, over a series of overlapping peaks that weave in and out. Three peaks were especially towering. This was the island’s main fortress. In a village there was still the obvious remains of a stone fortress that had a circumference of two to three ri. Inside the fortress were large and small stone pillars and foundation stones. Covered with plants such as ramie, the land was flat and wide enough to cultivate eight to nine seok (石) of fields or paddies.

We advanced to Gaji-gumi (可支仇味 - Sea Lion Cove), where we found two caves in the side of the mountain. It was difficult to calculate their depth. We surprised some sea lions that dashed out (of the caves), but before they could get into the water, all our riflemen fired at once and got two of them.

On May 1st., between 5 and 7 a.m., we changed direction and headed south toward the Japanese boat dock. From the entrance (of the Japanese boat dock) to the central peak it was about thirty ri of mountainous wasteland with clear remains of what included a stone fortress, stone pagodas, and stone-piled graves. We changed direction and headed forward and found a steep rock wall stretching out at the water’s edge that looked as if it had been craved out . When we arrived at the Jangjakji (長作地) bamboo forest, we found it sparse. The big bamboo that had been there was gone. We headed north and arrived at Cheonmagumi (天磨仇味).

At sunrise on the 2nd, we began a thourough inspection. One rock towering in the middle of the sea looked like the horns of a cow. It was called “Hujuk-am” (帿竹巖). Bangpaedo (防牌島) was to the east, about three ri from the main island.

On the 3rd, we arrived at Hyeunjakji (玄作地), where we found overlapping stone mountains and a rocky coastline. Chusan (錐山) had a strange shape and was made of a strange back rock. Jukam (竹巖) was two towering rocks that looked like “Hujuk” (帿竹). Next to Jukam was Gongam (孔巖), through the center of which a small transport boat could pass. When we arrived at Hwangtogumi (黃土仇味), we found overlapping peaks and a mountain stream. There was enough land to farm about thirty seok of rice paddies or tens of seok of fields. It was about thirty ri from the village to the central peak. Above “Cave Rock,” on the right and left, were written the names of previous inspectors.

On the 4th, we headed toward Hyangmok Pavilion (香木亭). The circumference of the entire island was about 120 ri. The distance from north to south was between seventy and eighty ri, and from east to west was sixty to seventy ri. All four sides of the island were cliffs and all of the mountains were steep. There were large and small streams falling and flowing down the valleys that looked like a silver rainbow 1,000 jang high. It looked like 10,000 pieces of jade had been spewed up into the air. Looking out from the Daepungso (大風所 - Wind-waiting Place), we saw the following trees: camellia, Oriental arborvitae, juniper, maple, hoinamu, kalopanax, paulownia, mulberry, elm, and birch. The birds were crow and seagull. The only wild animals we saw were cats and mice. The sea products were brown seaweed, abalone, and sea lions. After our search, between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. on the same day, we all went up to the alter and respectfully made offerings to the sea god. Then we set sail and immediately returned.

Between 5 and 7 p.m. on the 5th, the commander’s ship arrived at Jangori in Wondeok-myeon, Samcheok. Between 7 and 9 p.m., the Japanese interpreter's two ships arrived and anchored. Between 9 and 11 p.m, Ha Bok’s ship also arrived. On the 7th, we returned to the Wind-waiting Place (大風所), and on the 8th, we returned to our camp.

The products brought back were two sea lion skins, three green bamboo trunks, two blocks of rosewood incense, five seung of red ocher, one map of the island, and a report, which were sent to the Bibyeonsa. That is why I am sending this.

July 4, 1786

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原春監司 李致中以鬱陵島搜討形止馳聞

原春監司 李致中狀啓鬱陵島搜討乙巳年爲次第而因嶺東慘歉前監司 徐鼎修狀聞停止今年搜討官當次越松萬戶 金昌胤牒呈內四月十九日候風于平海丘尾津二十七日午時分四船與倭學李裕文上下員役沙格竝八十名齊發二十八日卯時船格等指曰彼黑雲底乃島中上峯云云未過數時最高三峯宛然入望四更未四船同聚悲喜交極各陳危怖之狀二十九日解纜到苧田洞四船之人沐浴山祭後看審則自洞口至中峯二十餘里重峯疊嶂內外相連中有三峯最秀此是一島之主鎭而洞裏石城痕周可數三里宛然猶存城內有大錐巖小錐巖石礎苧田等處土地平衍可墾田畓八九石落前進可支仇味則山腰有兩石窟其深難測可支魚驚出投水之際砲手齊放捉得二首五月初一日卯時轉向南邊倭船滄則自洞口至中峯三十餘里皆是殘山石城石塔石葬等遺址宛然轉向前面巖壁削列水邊到長作地竹林處則竹林稀疏元無體大者北到天磨仇味初二日平明省審則有巖屹立水中狀如牛角名以帿竹巖束有防牌島距大島爲三里許初三日到玄作地石山重疊海邊則嚴石而已錐山則山形奇異石色怪黑竹巖則兩巖屹立狀如帿竹傍有孔巖中通小桶船到黃土 仇味則山形重疊谷水成川可畓三十餘石可田數十餘石自洞至中峯三十餘里左右土窟巖石上有前日搜討官等題名初四日轉向香木亭大抵一島周回可百二十餘里南北七八十里東西六七十里四面皆壁山形箇箇峻險大溪小澗或瀑或流千丈銀虹萬斗噴玉自待風所望見樹木則冬栢側栢香木楓木檜木木梧桐桑楡檀木羽蟲則島鷗毛族則鼠而已海族則甘藿 鰒魚 可支魚搜探後同日申時一行齊登壇上謹祭海神掛帆旋歸初五日酉時萬戶船還泊三陟遠德面長五里戌時倭學船二隻來泊亥時下卜船一隻又來初七轉泊待風所初八還鎭所可支魚皮二令靑竹三箇紫檀香二吐莫石間朱五升本島圖形一件牒呈上送備邊司緣由馳啓

1863 - Description of Ulleungdo from Kim Jeong-ho's "Daedongjiji" (大東地志)

The following is the description of Ulleungdo from Kim Jeong-ho's (金正浩) 1863 Daedongjiji (大東地志). I am just putting it up so that people can look at it. I will say more about it later when I have time to study it; however, I did notice that he mentioned the "four or five small islands to the south of Ulleungdo" (島之南有四五小島), which appear on most of the old maps of the island. Anyway, I am working on something else right now, so I will get back to this later. Please feel free to comment or even translate. :)

島嶼

鬱陵島在本縣正東海中右于山一云武陵一云羽陵一云艼陵周二百餘里東西七十餘里南北五十餘里三峯岌嶪聳空純是石山自本縣天晴而登高望見則如雲氣便風二日可到(倭舡漁探者時到)倭人謂之竹島與日本隱岐州相近自中峯至正東海濱三十餘里正西海濱四十餘里正南海濱二十餘里正北海濱二十餘里川溪六七竹田五六居址數十有楮田洞孔巖朱土窟石葬古址船泊處待風所島之南有四五小島島中皆石壁石澗洞壑甚多有狙鼠極大不知避人亦有桃李桑拓菜茹之屬珍木異草不知名者甚多○新羅智證王十三年于山國恃險不服遣何瑟羅軍主金異斯夫擊降之 高麗太祖十三年芋陵島遣白吉土豆貢方物 顯宗九年以于山國被東北女眞所寇廢農業遣李元龜賜農器 十年于山國民曾彼女眞虜掠來奔者悉令歸之 德宗元年羽陵城主遣子獻土物 仁宗十九年秋七月溟州道都監倉使李陽實遣人入蔚陵島取菓核木葉異常者以獻 毅宗十三年王聞鬱陵地廣土肥可以居民遣溟州道監倉使金柔立往視柔立回奏云島中有大山從山頂東至海一萬餘步西至海一萬三千餘步南至海一萬五千餘步北至海八千餘步有村落基址七所或有石佛鐵鍾石塔多生柴胡本石南草然多巖石民不可居遂寢其議 明宗時崔忠獻獻議以武陵土壤膏沃多珍木海錯遣使往觀之移東郡民以實之及使還多以珍木海錯進之後屢爲風濤所蕩覆舟因還其民居 忠穆王二年東界芋陵島人來朝 辛福五年倭人武陵島留半月而去○本朝 太宗朝聞流民逃于鬱陵島者甚多再命三陟人金麟雨爲安撫使刷出空其地麟雨言丰土地饒沃竹大如杠鼠大如猫桃核大於升凡物稱是 世宗元年武陵島民男婦共十七人行到京畿 平邱驛飢頓 上遣人救之 二十二年遣縣人萬戶南顥率數百人往搜連民盡俘金丸等七十餘人而還其地遂空 成宗二年有告別有三峯島者及遣朴宗元往覓之因風濤不得泊而還同行一舡泊鬱陵島只取大竹大鰒魚回啓云島中無居民矣肅宗二十八年三陟營將李浚明還自鬱陵島獻其圖形及紫檀香靑竹石間朱魚皮等物浚明乘舡于竹邊串兩晝夜而還 英宗十一年江原監司趙冣等啓言鬱陵地廣土沃有人居舊址而其西又有于山島亦廣闊○土産藿鰒可支魚大小雜魚柏木香木冬柏側柏黃柏梧桐楓檜欕桑楡篁竹朱土鷹烏鷰鳲貍鼠

1807 May 12 - Lee Tae-gun (李泰根) Inspects Ulleungdo

The following is a May 12, 1807 record of Wolsong Commander Lee Tae-gun's (越松萬戶 李泰根) inspection of Ulleungdo, as recorded in the Ilseongrok (日省錄), which was a Korean record of daily affairs of state from 1760 to 1910.

The record talks about trespassers on Ulleungdo harvesting juniper, bamboo, and seal lions. It also seems to say that the island of Usan (于山島 - Usando) was north of Cheonjeo-gumi (天底仇味 - Cheonjeo Cove), which seems to have been a mistake since Cheonjeo-gumi was on the north shore of Ulleungdo and Usando would have been east of there. (Old Korean maps show Usando off Ulleungdo's northeast shore.) At any rate, this 1807 report says that Usando was a neighboring island of Ulleungdo, which is more evidence against the Korean claim that Usando was the old Korean name for "Dokdo" (Liancourt Rocks). Liancourt Rocks is ninety-two kilometers southeast of Ulleungdo.

Kangwon Governor Kim I-kyo Reports Deliberation of Punishment for Magistrates of Three Towns, Including Suncheon, for not Warning Boats Transpassing on Ulleungdo
As reported, the inspection of Ulleungdo is conducted every two years, and has traditionally been assigned as a shared duty. According to the written report of Wolsong Commander Lee Tae-geun (李泰根), he reached the island on April 7th, anchored, and then conducted a careful survey of its geography. Hwangto Cave (黃土窟 - Golden Clay Cave) was on the left, and Byeongpung Rock (屛風石) was on the right. It was almost thirty ri from Hwangto-gumi (黃土仇味 - Yellow Clay Cove) to the central peak (中峯). There were rows of towering peaks with clear mountain springs. Among them were remains of human dwellings and land for about forty seok of fields or paddies. Next to the village was Hyangmok Pavillion (落傍有香木亭), where they found shaved juniper and sea lion skins. This was the act of trespassers (潛船). Ten ri (4 km) to the north, there was a rock jutting prominently out of the middle of the sea. In the center was a hole that a boat could sail through. It was called "Gong-am" (孔巖 - "Hole Rock").
Next, they changed direction toward Chusan-am (錐山巖 - Chusan Rock), which was shaped like a standing gimlet (形果如立錐). To the south was Cheonjeo-gumi (天底仇味 - Cheonjeo Cove). From its opening the valley ran about 10 ri (4 km) inland. To the north was Usando (于山島 - "Usan Island"), which had a circumference of two to three ri. They went south to Dojang-gumi (都庄仇味 - Dojang Cove), where they went deep into the valley. There were bamboo groves, but much of the bamboo had been indiscriminately harvested by trespassers.
The remainder of the record talks mainly about the trespassers they found on the island and is not translated here.
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江原監司 金履喬以鬱陵島潛船不飭之順天等三邑守令論罪馳啓
狀啓以爲鬱陵島搜討間二年擧行故依例發關分付矣越松萬戶 李泰根牒呈以爲去三月二十六日與倭學 李馥祥及員役沙格幷七十二名分載四船發行四月初七日到泊于本島遍審島形則左有黃土窟右有屛風石自黃土 仇味至中峯似近三十里而群峯崎屹泉水淸冽間有人家居址可田可畓爲四十餘石落傍有香木亭而有香木之斫置者又有可支魚皮捉置者此是潛船之所爲北向十餘里矗石特立於大洋之中中有通船之孔名曰孔巖轉向錐山巖巖形果如立錐南有天底仇味 谷口深邃爲十餘里北有于山島周回爲二三里許南至都庄仇味深入谷口則有竹田而多被潛船之亂斫屢日環島詳細搜探則潛船捉得合爲十四隻事拯驚駭十四隻船主等欲爲縳來則萬戶帶去之東萊倭學 李馥祥 蔚珍沙格李己丑 興海沙格金允石等與潛船船主雄唱雌和非但顯有扶護之意潛船沙格等一百五十餘名都聚一處呼天曰必死聲動一島爻象危怖外雖若畏之狀而實有恃衆無忌之慮萬尸所領沙格亦皆暗聽倭學之指敎擧欲漫而彌縫手下聽令之員役只不過軍官鎭吏軍牢等合十一名而已實無抵當之勢不得捉來十二日四船還發十五日還鎭十四隻私船之潛入島中事係變怪而倭學之符同潛船欲爲扶護者拯爲痛駭李馥祥捧賂錢十兩全鰒二十貼一一摘發而李馥祥之欲爲防口員役十一名處所給全鰒五貼五串亦爲査出幷爲執留以待處分潛船十四隻船王等姓名年歲居住成冊一件及島中所産進上紫香元封二吐加封十吐可支魚皮二令靑竹三箇朱土六升本島圖形幷依例上送云自臣營上送于備邊司搜討法意本自嚴重而興陽 長興 順天等三邑私船之潛入島中採取禁物已是罔赦之罪及其現捉也締結倭學欲爲圖免互相綢繆不爲就捕者事未前有大關變怪東萊倭學 李馥祥則渠以搜討行帶率員役目見潛船居間捧賂欲其掩迹者究厥所爲節節痛惡興海沙格金允石蔚珍沙格李己丑等則甘聽倭學之指嗾同心和應之狀亦爲可駭故李馥祥 金允石 興陽船主金番金等長興船主鄭支平等順天船主全光 良守等十六名爲先移文于各該道使之一倂捉來與蔚珍沙格嚴覈得情照法嚴勘計料越松萬戶 李泰根則稱以彼衆我寡無以抵敵幷與船主而一任放過疲軟拯矣方自臣營拿致嚴棍癸亥年搜討時潛船十二隻之現捉者卽興陽 長興 順天等三邑之船漢也曾未幾何又出於三邑海堧頑俗之不畏法姑捨勿論當該地方官之不爲察飭誠極疏忽不可尋常置之興陽 長興 順天等三邑守令罪狀請令攸司稟處○義禁府啓言宋祥濂今方待命拿囚趙台錫 李時在任所請拿來允之

1827 May 19 - Ha Si-myeong (河始明) Inspects Ulleungdo

The following is a May 19, 1827 record of Samcheok Commander Ha Si-myeong's (河始明) inspection of Ulleungdo, as recorded in the Ilseongrok (日省錄), which was a Korean record of daily affairs of state from 1760 to 1910.

The record is interesting because it talks about the inspection party going to "Sea Lion Cave," where they found seven or eight sea lions. I am not sure if they were talking about a particular cave, but there is a cave called "Sea Lion Cave" on the west coast of Ulleungdo. Korea claims that Ulleungdo inspectors used to travel to Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo) to hunt sea lions, but this record and others show that they hunted sea lions on Ulleungdo, not Liancourt Rocks.

Gangwon Governor Jeong Won-yeong Reports Inspection of Ulleungdo

In accordance with the standing order to conduct biennial inspections of Ulleungdo, Samcheok Commander Ha Si-myeong (河始明) reported that on April 16th, he led Japanese interpretor Choi Gap-mun (崔甲文) and eighty more people, including officials and sailors, boarded four ships, and reached Ulleungdo on April 23th. Surveying the geography of the island, they saw Hwangto Cave (黄土窟 - "Golden Clay Cave") on the left and and Byeongpung Rock (屛風巖 - "Folding Screen Rock") on the right.

At five ri from Hwangto-gumi (黄土龜尾 - "Golden Clay Cove") toward the central peak, there was an area where fields and paddies could be cultivated. There were also old foundations of dwellings. From there they advanced to the the cove entrance, where there was a cliff with juniper trees on top that could be sealed and presented to the king, so they harvested them. Afterwards, they went to Pyeongtak-gumi (萍卓邱尾 -"High Duckweed Cove"), where there was a grove of large bamboo. The bamboo had been thinned out, but they harvested the largest among them. Then they headed east to Jangsa-gumi (長沙邱尾), where they saw from a distance a bamboo grove on top of the cliff, but it was all small bamboo. They entered the island and thoroughly inspected its interior for three days.

The circumference of the island is about eighty or ninety ri, and it is all rock mountains. The trees on the island include mulberry, pinenut, paulownia, elm, juniper, and hazelnut. The birds on the island include crow, sparrow, sea gull, and quail. The creeping animals are cats and rats. The sea products include brown seaweed, abalone, and various fish.

They went to Sea Lion Cave (可支魚窟), where they surprised seven or eight sea lions. They shot and clubbed them and got two of them before they could jump into the sea. On April 27th, they came back and anchored at Gangneung (江陵).

I am presenting 2 pieces of rosewood incense (紫檀香), which are sealed in this letter. In addition, there are ten more pieces of rosewood incense (紫檀香) , three green bamboo, six seung (升) of red ocher (石間朱), and two skins of sea lions (可支魚). As is the custom, we will send a map of the island, two skins of sealions, three green bamboo, six seung (升) of red ocher (石間朱), and twelve pieces of rosewood incense (紫檀香) to the Bibyeonsa (備邊司) after they are inventoried.

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江原監司 鄭元容以鬱陵島搜討馳達

狀達以爲鬱陵島搜討間二年擧行自是定式而今年搜討三陟營將 河始明牒呈內四月十六日與倭學崔甲文及所率負役沙格等八十人分載四船二十三日泊于本島看審則左有黃土窟右有屛風石自黃土邱尾至中峯爲五里而中有可墾田畓處或有古人所居之基址前進至浦口壁上有進上香木可封者故斫取後至萍卓邱尾則有大竹田而竹本稀疏取其中稍大者斫取而東至長沙邱尾望見竹田在於壁上俱是小竹入島三日詳察島內則周回殆近八九十里俱是石山而厥木則桑栢桐楡香榛之屬飛禽則烏雀鷗鶉走獸則猫鼠海錯則藿鰒雜魚又到可支魚窟則可支魚七八首驚人入海之際砲搏捉得二首二十七日還到泊於江陵而進上元封紫檀香二吐莫加封十吐莫靑竹三箇石間朱六升可支魚皮二領依例上送云本島圖形一本可支皮二領靑竹三箇石間朱六升紫檀香十二吐莫一一尺量後上送于備邊司

1831 May 14 - Lee Gyeong-jeong (李慶鼎) Inspects Ulleungdo

The following is a May 14, 1831 record of Samcheok Commander Lee Gyeong-jeong's (李慶鼎)April inspection of Ulleungdo, as recorded in the Ilseongrok (日省錄), which was a Korean record of the daily affairs of state in the Joseon and Korean Empire periods from 1760 to 1910 .

This record is especially interesting because it said there was a herd of about 110 sea lions in the vicinity of Hyeonseok-gumi (玄石龜尾 - Hyeonseok Cove) and Jusa-bong (朱砂峯), which were on the north shore of Ulleungdo. Some Korean historians claim that Koreans used to travel ninety-two kilometers beyond Ulleungdo to Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo) to hunt sea lions, but this record clearly shows that these Koreans hunted their sea lions on Ulleungdo, not Liancourt Rocks.

Gangwon Governor Yun Seong-tae (尹聲大) Reports to the King about Ulleungdo Inspection.

On April 8th, Samcheok Commander Lee Gyeong-jeong (李慶鼎) lead low-ranking officials (員役) to Ulleungdo's Hwangto-gumi (黄土龜尾 - "Golden Clay Cove"), where they anchored. Surveying the geography of the island, they saw Byeongpung Rock (屛風巖 - "Folding Screen Rock") on the right and Hwangto Cave (黄土窟 - "Golden Clay Cave") on the left. The juniper trees on the mountain peaks had not yet changed colors (非不交翠) and they were all short and small. They searched the whole day for juniper to present to the king, but barely harvested more than they started with. They then headed to Hyeonseok-gumi (玄石龜尾 - "Black Rock Cove"), where they saw a herd of about 110 sea lions mooing like cows. They got two of them with guns and clubs. They looked up and saw the highest peak, which they judged to be the so-called, Jusa-bong (朱砂峯 - "Cinnabar Peak"). Thus, they proceeded to inspect around the island without incident.

I am presenting a map of the island and 2 pieces of rosewood incense (紫檀香), which are sealed in this letter. As is the custom, the subjects of the king will send ten more pieces of rosewood incense (紫檀香) , three green bamboo, six seung (升) of red ocher (石間朱), and two sea lions (可支魚). After each is measured, they will be sent to the Bibyeonsa (備邊司).

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江原監司 尹聲大以鬱陵島搜討馳啓

狀啓以爲今年搜討三陟營將 李慶鼎去四月初八日率員役到泊於鬱陵島黃土龜尾看審島形則屛風巖在其右黃土窟在其左山頂香木非不交翠而皆是短矮進上香木盡日搜括僅斫原數仍向玄石龜尾則可支魚百十爲群吼哮如牛或砲或棒捉得二首仰看最高之峯是謂朱砂峯而環一島蹤跡殆遍搜察備至而幸無處矣本島圖形進上元封紫檀香二吐加封十吐靑竹三箇石間朱六升可支魚二領依例自臣營一一尺量後上送于備邊司

1905 January 28th: Cabinet Decision to Incorporate Liancourt Rocks

The follow document is from the "Archives of Official Documents" (公文類集), Vol.29. It is the record of the Cabinet decision to incorporate Liancourt Rocks into Japan's Shimane Prefecture and to rename them "Takeshima" (竹島), based on a petition HERE, by Japanese businessman Nakai Yozaburo (中井養三郞), .

28th January 1905 (the 38th year of Meiji)  

We have examined the proposal by the Secretary of the State for Home Affairs, concerning an uninhabited island. As to the uninhabited island at 37º 9' 30" N and, 131º 55' E. and 85 nautical miles northwest of Oki Island, there were no traces of occupation by any other countries , and since a Japanese named Nakai Yozaburo recently petitoned to incorporate the island and then lend it to him since he began sea lion hunting at the island two years ago in the 36th year (of Meiji, 1903), built a hut for fishery, tranferred laborers, and got proper fishing gear, we need to clarify the prefecture to which it will belong and the name of the island.  

The proposal suggested that the island be named Takeshima and put under the jurisdiction of the local government of Oki Island of Shimane Prefecture from now on. We have examined the matter and found that there is, in fact, occupation under international law, as it is clear from related documents that Nakai Yozaburo moved to the island in the 36th year of Meiji (1903) and has been engaging in fishery there; therefore, we think we can incorporate the island into Japanese territory and put it under the jurisdiction of the local government of Oki Island in Shimane Prefecture. Therefore, we submit that it is reasonable to allow the Cabinet to carry out the decision as proposed. 

明治38年1月28日 

別紙、内務大臣請議無人島所属に関する件を審査するに、右は北緯三十七度九分三十秒、東経百三十一度五十五分、隠岐島を距る西北八十五浬に在る無人島は, 

他国に於て之を占領したりと認むべき形跡無く、一昨三十六年、本邦人中井養三郎なる者に於て漁舎を構え人夫を移し、漁具を備えて海驢猟に着手し、今回領土編入並に貸下を出願せし所、此際所属及び島名を確定するの必要あるを以て該島を竹島と名け、自今、島根県所属隠岐司の所管と為さんとすと謂ふに在り。 

依て審査するに、明治三十六年以来、中井養三郎なる者が該島に移住し漁業に従事せることは、関係書類に依り明なる所なれば国際法上占領の事実あるものと認め、之を本邦所属とし、島根県所属隠岐島司の所管と為し差支無之儀と思考す。依て請議の通り、閣議決定相成可然と認む

 

Went to Samcheok Museum today, and....

Today I went to the Samcheok Museum to look at a map of Ulleungdo. Unfortunately, the museum had no large prints of the map in a pamplet or book, so I cannot show you a good map tonight, but here is a fuzzy copy of the map with a few of the labels I saw on it.

First, the map shows two islands off the east shore of Ulleungdo labeled as 小于島 and 大于島, which is slightly different from a map in the National Library of Korea that labels the islands as 小干島 and 大干島. Another difference between the two maps is that the Samcheok Museum Map shows the following labels right next to the island labeled as 大于島:

• 苧田 (field of ramie)
• 倭船倉 (Japanese boathouse)
• 長沙仇味 (Jangsa Cove)

The Samcheok map shows the above labels right next to the island a fair distance from the shore, but the National Library of Korea map shows the above labels on or near the shore of Ulleungdo. I do not know what it means, but I have seen 倭船倉 written next to Usando (于山島) on a Korean map before, so maybe there was such a place on Ulleungdo's neighboring island. If anyone has any questions, just ask them.

I am a little disappointed that I could not get a good copy of the map for you, but I may go into Seoul tomorrow and try to find a book with the map in it. Anyway, it was not a wasted trip because I found something else that was kind of interesting that I will post about later.

1795-1800: Dong Yeodo (東輿圖) - Ulleungdo (鬱陵島)

Below is a map of the Korean island of Ulleungdo (鬱陵島) from the "Dong Yeodo" (東輿圖) atlas, which was made sometime between 1795 and 1800. The map is stored in Japan at the University of Tsukuba Library (筑波大学附属図書館).

The map shows a small island just off the east shore of Ulleungdo labeled as "于山" (Usan). Korea claims that the "island of Usan" (于山島) was the old Korean name for "Dokdo" (Liancourt Rocks), but this map and many others show that Usando was just a neighboring island of Ulleungdo. The map also shows five small islands off the southern shore of Ulleungdo. It is unclear what these islands were referring to, but several old maps of Ulleungdo show these same five, unnamed islands. In total, the map shows Ulleungdo with six, small neighboring islands, the most prominent of which is Usando (于山島).

1860 - 1870? - Japanese map of Korea (朝鮮國全図)

Here is a clear map of Korea, made by a Japanese named Sewaki (瀬脇壽人) with the help of a Korean named Kim In-seung (金麟昇), who told Sewaki how to pronounce the Korean placenames. [Click the map to enlarge.]

The date of the map is unknown, but it may have been made sometime between 1860 and 1870. (Sewaki's daughter was the wife of the famous medical doctor Takagi Kanehiro, who established the Jikei Medical School in Tokyo in 1881.)

This map shows Usando (于山島) to the west of Ulleungdo (鬱陵島), which supports the claim that Usando was not Liancourt rocks (Dokdo/Takeshima) since Liancourt Rocks is southeast of Ulleungdo. Even though the mapmaker put a great deal of effort into showing all the small islands around Korea, Liancourt Rocks was not shown on the map, which is more evidence that Koreans did not know about the rocks at the time or, at least, did not consider them part of Korean territory.

(There is Japanese writing at Ulleungdo saying that it is called "Takeshima" in Japan.)

Can you see "Dokdo" (獨島) from Ulleungdo?

Below is a link to a good video of Ulleungdo. Also, at 9 minutes and 22 seconds (9:22) into the video, you can see a view of "Dokdo" (Liancourt Rocks) far off in the distance from Ulleungdo. However, what is interesting about this view of "Dokdo" is that "Dokdo" disappears from view as the camera pulls back from its magnified view to a normal one. Another interesting thing is that Dokdo appears right above the point of a peak, which may be a landmark to help tourists with binoculars and telephoto lenses find the island.

I think this video is evidence of just how difficult it is to see "Dokdo" (Liancourt Rocks) from Ulleungdo. I doubt that fishermen and farmers travelling to Ulleungdo during Korea's Joseon period had binoculars or an observation point on top of a mountain with a sign and arrow pointing you in the direction of "Dokdo." This video is also evidence that most, if not all, of the photos on the Web taken of "Dokdo" from Ulleungdo are magnified.

The people who post these magnified photos on the Web are often trying to deceive people into believing that "Dokdo" is closer to Ulleungdo than it really is, which is an attempt to convince people that "Dokdo" was considered a neighboring island of Ulleungdo during Korea's Joseon period. (Steve Barber's Web site is a good example of this kind of deception. See HERE.) However, it is obvious from the video below that "Dokdo" (Liancourt Rocks) would not have been considered a neighboring island of Ulleungdo by any reasonable standard, which is almost certainly why Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo) never appeared on any of Korea's old maps.

Link to Video

Early 1750s - "Haedong Jido" (海東地圖) - Ulleungdo

The map below is of the Korean island of Ulleungdo (鬱陵島) from the atlas "Haedong Jido" (海東地圖), which is believed to have been made in the early 1750s. In addition to showing several rock formations offshore of Ulleungdo, the map also shows a small island off the east shore labeled as "所謂 于山島," which translates as "the so-called Usando." Korea claims that Usando was the old Korean name from "Dokdo" (Liancourt Rocks), but this map and many others show that Usando was just a neighboring island of Ulleungdo, not Liancourt Rocks. The map says that Ulleungdo had a circumference of about 200 ri (80 km.), and was about eighty ri (32 km.) from east to west and fifty ri (20 km.) from north to south. The map is stored at Seoul National University's Kyujanggak Center for Korean Studies.

In addition to showing the island of Usando and several rock formations around Ulleungdo, the maps also shows five small islands off the southern shore of Ulleungdo. It is unclear what these islands were referring to, but several old maps of Ulleungdo show these same five, unnamed islands. The map also shows a list of the flora and fauna on the island, which includes sea lions (可支魚), cats (猫), and rats (鼠).

Mid 1700s - "Paldo Yeojido" (八道輿地圖) - Ulleungdo Map (鬱陵島圖)

The map below is of the Korean island of Ulleungdo (鬱陵島). It comes from the atlas "Paldo Yeojido" (八道輿地圖), which is believed to have been made sometime in the mid 1700s. The atlas said that Ulleungdo had a circumference of bout 200 ri (80 kilometers), and measured about eighty ri (32 km)from east to west, and about fifty ri from north to south (20 km). The atlas also lists some of the flora and fauna found on the island at the time, which included "sea lions" (可支魚). The map below can be found in the Gangwon Province (江原道) section of the atlas (江原道 輿地圖), the cover of which is pictured on the left. The map and atlas are stored in the National Library of Korea.

The mapmaker drew Ulleungdo in a circular shape, which was a common way to draw the island at that time. A small island was also drawn off the east shore of Ulleungdo and labeled as "所謂 干山島." That translates as "the so-called Gansando," which was almost certainly a misspelling of Usando (于山島). Korea claims that Usando was the old Korean name for "Dokdo" (Liancourt Rocks), but this map of Ulleungdo and many others show that Usando was just a neighboring island of Ulleungdo. In fact, there are no Korean or Japanese maps that show Usando as Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo).

The map also shows five small islands off the southern shore of Ulleungdo, which may have been a mapping errors since many, but not all, of Ulleungdo's neighboring rock islets (石島) are off its nortern shore. At any rate, the map shows Ulleungdo with six, small neighboring islands, of which Usando is the most prominent.

1918 Japanese Map of Ulleungdo

Below is a Japanese map of Ulleungdo called the 鬱陵島図 and was made by the Office of the Governors-General of Korea (朝鮮総督府) in 1918. The map shows the island in a great deal of detail, including not only Jukdo (竹島), Gwaneumdo (觀音島), and the more well known rock islets (石島) around Ulleungdo, but also the lesser-known rocks and even the small rocks near the shore line. (You can see a Japanese language post mentioning the map HERE.)

There are two things about the map that I find especially interesting. One is that it shows two fairly large rocks south of Jukdo, just off the east shore of Ulleungdo. One of the rocks is labeled 胄島 (Judo), with the name "北苧岩" in parentheses. Judo (胄島) means "Helmet Island" and may have been the Japanese name for the islet since there is no Japanese pronunciation guide written above the name. At any rate, this is evidence that even rocks were referred to as "islands." By the way, there is a rock off the northern shore that is labeled as an "island": 一本立島 (竹岩).

The second thing about the map that interests me is the name of the peak on the southern tip of the island. The peak is labeled as 可頭峰 (가두봉 - Gadu Peak), which I think translates as "Seal Head Peak." Koreans used to refer to the sea lions on Ulleungdo as "Gaji-eo" (可支魚), of which the first character is the same as the first character in the name of the peak. Old Western maps also labeled that part of the island as "Seal Point." If you look closely at the map, you should notice a small islet just offshore of "Seal Point." Modern Korean maps show the name of this rock as "Gajae Bawui" (가재바위), which means "Sea Lion Rock" (可支岩) in the Ulleungdo dialect. (See the second map below.)

I think it is very likely that "Sea Lion Rock" was the place referred to as "Gajido" (可支島) in a 1794 Korean survey report of Ulleungdo since "Gajido" means "Sea Lion Island" and since rocks were also referred to as islands. "Geobuk Bawui" (거북바위 - Turtle Rock), on the southwest coast of the island, could have also been Gajido since it is very close to a seashore cave that was labeled as "Gaji Cave" (可支窟 - Sea Lion Cave) on Lee Gyu-won's 1882 map of Ulleungdo. Today, the cave is called "Gajae Cave" (가재굴), which again means "Sea Lion Cave" in the Ulleungdo dialect. Koreans claim that Gajido was another old Korean name for "Dokdo" (Liancourt Rocks), but they have no maps or documents to support that claim. Besides, since Gajido was mentioned in a survey report of Ulleungdo, not Liancourt Rocks, it is almost certain that it was just one of Ulleungdo's neighboring rock islets.

1777 ~ 1787: Haedong Yeojido (海東輿地圖) - Ulleungdo

The map below is of the Korean island of Ulleungdo (鬱陵島). It comes from the atlas "Haedong Yeojido" (海東輿地圖), which is believed to have been made sometime between 1777 and 1787. (See the photo to the left.) Kim Jong-ho"s (金正浩) 1834 map "Cheonggudo" (靑邱圖) is believed to have been modeled on the maps in this atlas. The map and atlas are stored in the National Library of Korea.

The map was drawn on ruled paper, which gives it scale. A small island was drawn off the east shore of Ulleungdo and labeled as "Usan" (于山). Korea claims that "Usando" (于山島) was the old Korean name for "Dokdo" (Liancourt Rocks), but this map and many others show that Usando was almost certainly Ulleungdo's neighboring island of Jukdo (竹島), which is about 2.2 kilometers off Ulleungdo's east shore.

The map also shows five small islands off the southern shore of Ulleungdo, which were commonly drawn on maps of Ulleungdo during the Joseon period (1392 - 1910). However, the five islands were almost certainly a mapping error since most of Ulleungdo's "rock islets" (石島) are located off Ulleungdo's northern shore. Nevertheless, the map shows Ulleungdo with six neighboring islands, of which Usan is the most prominent.

1777-1787 Map of Ulleungdo

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

1907 - Daehan Shinjiji Attached Maps (大韓新地志附地圖)

The following is a map of North Gyeongsang Province (慶尙北道), which was included in the 1907 Korean geography text, Daehan Sinjiji (大韓新地志). The map also includes a cutout of Ulleungdo (鬱陵島), which was a county of North Gyeongsang Province and was called "Uldo" (鬱島) at the time. The map of Uldo (鬱島) is in the lower left-hand corner of the map.

If you look closely at the map of Uldo (鬱島), you should see a small island off its northeast shore labeled as "竹" (Juk), which was an abbreviation for Ulleungdo's neighboring island of Jukdo (竹島). The map does not show Ulleungdo with any other neighboring islands. Not even Gwaneumdo (觀音島), which is a fairly large neighboring island of Ulleungdo is shown. However, Gwaneumdo is only about 100 meters off the east shore of Ulleungdo, and maps at the time suggest that Gwaneumdo was considered more of a cape than an island, which was most likely why it was not shown as an island on this map.

Inside the box encircling Ulleungdo are Chinese characters that give the latitude and longitude for the island. The characters and their translation are as follows:

南北緯 百三十度 四十五分至三十五分
North-South Latitude: 130 degrees 45 minutes ~ 35 minutes

東西經 三十七度 三十四分至五十一分
East-West Longitude: 37 degrees 34 minutes ~ 51 minutes

Unless I am misunderstanding something, the geography text seems to have gotten the longitude and latitude mixed up. That would mean that the latitude should be 37 degrees 34 minutes ~ 51 minutes, and the longitude should be 130 degrees 45 minutes ~ 35 minutes. Excusing that mistake, the map gives the eastern-most boundary of Ulleungdo at an east longitude of 130 degrees 45 minutes. That measurement is off the actual location by about 11 minutes since Ulleungdo's Jukdo (竹島) is actually at an east longitude of approximately 130 degrees 56 minutes.

Korea claims that Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo) was also a part of Uldo County (鬱島郡) in 1907 and was called "Seokdo" (石島), but not only does this map of Ulleungdo not show Liancourt Rocks or any island named "Seokdo," it also tells us that Liancourt Rocks could not have been a part of Uldo county since Liancourt Rocks are located at a longitude of 131 degrees 52 minutes, which is much farther east of the eastern-most boundary of Ulleungdo given above. The name "Seokdo" (石島) was not a reference to Liancourt Rocks, but was simply a reference to the small, rock islets around Ulleungdo. The name "Seokdo" (石島) means "rock island" or "rock Islets". (See HERE.)

From "Korea and Her Neighbors" by Isabella Lucy Bird.

Isabella Bird, the famous traveler and a writer in the late 19th century, visited Korea four times between January 1894 and March 1897. Her book on Korea "Korea and Her Neighbors" is a very important record of Korea, as she witnessed real Korean empire just after the Sino-Japanese war and just before the incorporation of Liancourt rocks.

from "Introductory Chapter":

The geography of Korea, or Ch'sao Hsien ("Morning Calm," or "Fresh Morning"), is simple. It is a definite peninsula to the northeast of China, measuring roughly 600 miles from north to south and 135 from east to west. The coast line is about 1,740 miles. It lies between 34 degree 17' N. to 43 degree N. latitude and 124 degree 38' E. to 130 degree 33' E. longitude, and has an estimated area of upwards of 80,000 square miles, being somewhat smaller than Great Britain. Bounded on the north and west by the Tu-men and Am-nok, or Yalu, rivers, which divide it from the Russian and Chinese empires, and by the Yellow Sea, its eastern and southern limit is the Sea of Japan, a "silver streak", which has not been its salvation. Its northern frontier is only conterminous with that of Russia for 11 miles.

In those days, most Korean fishermen used to engage in coast fishing. This is not a story of Ulleungdo, but the situation in Ulleungdo may be almost the same.

from the 12th chapter "Along the Coast":

The raison d'etre of Ma-cha Tong, and the numerous coast villages which exist wherever a convenient shore and a protection for boats occur together, is the coast fishing. The fact that a floating population of over 8,000 Japanese fishermen make a living by fishing on the coast near Fusan shows that there is a redundant harvest to be reaped. The Korean fisherman is credited with utter want of enterprise, and Mr. Oiesen, in the Customs' report for Won-san for 1891, accuses him of "remaining content with such fish as will run into crudely and easily constructed traps, set out along the shore, which only require attention for an hour or so each day." I must, however, say that each village that I passed possessed from seven to twelve fishing junks, which were kept at sea. They are unseaworthy boats, and it is not surprising that they hug the shore. I believe that the fishing industry, with every other, is paralyzed by the complete insecurity of the earnings of labor and by the exactions of officials, and that the Korean fisherman does not care to earn money of which he will surely be deprived on any or no pretence, and that, along with the members of the industrial classes generally, he seeks the protection of poverty.

Isabella wrote about Korean junk, which is not seaworthy.

Also from the 12th chapter "Along the Coast":

A Korean junk dose not impress one by its seaworthiness, and it is not surprising that the junkmen hug the shore and seek shelter whenever a good sailing breeze comes on. She is built without nails, iron, or preservative paint, and looks rather like a temporary and fortuitous aggregation of beams and pranks than a deliberate construction. Two tall, heavy masts fixed by wedges among the timbers at the bottom of the boat require frequent attention, as they are always swaying and threatening to come down. The sails are of matting, with a number of bamboos running transversely, with a cord attached to each, united into one sheet, by means of which tacking is effected, or rather might be. Practically, navigation consists is running before a light breeze, and dropping the mass of mats and bamboos on the confusion below whenever it freshens, varying the process by an easy pull at the sweeps, one at the stern and two working on pins in transverse beams amidships, which project 3 feet on each side. The junk is fitted with a rudder of enormous size, which from its position acts as a keel board. The price is from 60 to 80 dollars. This singular craft sails well before the wind, but under other circumstances is apt to become unmanageable.