Consideration regarding Songdo. "A number of brief documents regarding Jukdo can be found from the early days while there is no record discussing Songdo (Ulleungdo). Today more and more people are talking about Songdo, and their opinions are divided over the island. Some say these two islands are one, with two different names and others say they are two separate ones.
Page 2.
Jukdo (Ulleungdo) was given to Chosun by the Shogunate seeking convenience (comfort) at the time instead of considering our future. Therefore if this so-called "Songdo" turns out to be Jukdo (Ulleungdo) it should belong to them (Chosun) and if not it should be Japan's property. No one can give us a definite answer. The location of Songdo is considered critical because it is situated between Chosun and Japan. Nagasaki-Vladisvostok, Shimonseiki-Wonsan Port. Because of Songdo's important location English and Russian warships are repeatedly seen in this vicinity. So if it is part of Japan we should be very watchful..
Page 3.
Even in the event that it belongs to Chosun we will still have to protect it. In this situation we're at a loss for answers if/when we are asked by other countries. This leaves the island ownerless. A number of records have stated that "Argonaut" which is a Western name for Jukdo (Ulleungdo) does not exist and that "Dagelet" referring to Songdo, is Jukdo aka Ulluengdo. So what we call Songdo, (Dokdo) is called Hornet Rocks by Westerners. But is seems that Westerners actually think of Jukdo when they refer to Songdo (Ulleungdo). Foreign maps show this "Hornet Rocks" under Japan's jurisdiction. Yet there is no consensus concerning the other two islands among the countries.
Page 4.
"There is no sound basis for our argument, either. Therefore the land and the vicinity should be surveyed which side it belongs to and therefore whose jurisdiction it falls under. Thus we should make an inquiry to Shimane Prefecture and confirm their previous policy on this matter and initiate a survey of the region. If Chosun had already started we need to find out how they are progressing and think what we can do about it. Please I am urging this matter be dealt with as soon as possible........"
Drafted by Watanabe Kuoki
Because of these errors, an investigation was launched and a survey of the region conducted by the Japanese Warship Amagi. It was discovered no other islands existed in the region and the issue of "Songdo" and Liancourt Rocks was dropped.
1. Japanese scholars argue Meiji Government documents that declare Jukdo and Songdo as Chosun territory are not valid because the Meiji government was confused as to which island was which. As Watanabe Kuoki's above statements show, there were many documents already published that confirmed "Argonaut Island" did not exist. Many Japanese had already verified Songdo was Ulleungdo originally called Jukdo (Takeshima) and the foreign-named "Hornet Rocks" were the islands Japanese referred to as Songdo (Matsushima) Dokdo.
2. Even at this late stage of the 19th century the Japanese had not claimed Dokdo. This official letter proves that Japan's claim that Dokdo is historically and inherently part of their country is not valid. The Minister of Foreign Affairs referencing of foreign maps in an attempt to ascertain whether or not Dokdo was Japan's territory, shows Japanese had no legitimate historical claim to Dokdo, prior to, or even at this late point in history.
3. Japan's motivation for the annexing of Dokdo can be gleaned from this official paper. Two whole decades before Japan took Dokdo this document sheds light as to why Dokdo, a tiny cluster of rocks, was of major importance to Japan. Watanabe Kuoki was only concerned with establishing a naval presence in the region so the Japanese could monitor and control activity in the Korean Straight. He was particularly concerned about foreign warships. A disturbing quote in this text is "Even in the event that it belongs to the other side (Chosun) we will still have to protect it...." This quote clearly illustrates some high-ranking officials of the Japanese government wished to assert military control over adjacent islands regardless of who the rightful owner may be. Watanabe Kuoki's attitude finally prevailed when naval conflicts flared in the region around 1904 and his inquiry foreshadows the eventual 1905 Japanese annexing of Dokdo.
4. In the late 17th century the Japanese government acknowledged that Ulleungdo was part of Chosun territory. Watanabe Kuoki's opinion at the beginning of the document shows some hard-liners in office were resentful that Japan acquiesced to Chosun legitamite assertions that Ulleungdo was theirs.
It should be known that the Watanbe Kuoki's opinion regarding the possibility of other islands besides Ulleungdo and Dokdo was the minority view among Japanese Government officials at the time. For example Director of Communications from the Foreign Mininstry Tanabe Taiichi knew from the very beginning that Songdo was Ulleungdo. Amidst the pros and cons Taiichi stated that if Matushima was Usando its development would not be granted. Another official argued if Matsushima belonged to Chosun its development would amount to an act of aggression.
At this time Watanbe Kuoki was about to inquire to Shimane Prefecture's Office to confirm their past policy on Dokdo. From there he would have been shown this recently issued document by the Dajokan (Council of State) (link) that confirmed both Ulleungdo and Dokdo were possessions of Chosun and the Meiji Government had nothing to do with them.
