I do like a good argument. I remember a couple of years ago a Japanese diplomat gave a very informative talk at Chatham House about Korea-Japan relations. But there was a Korean in the audience with strong views and the Q&A degenerated into a heated debate about Dokdo.
There’s been rather too much in the news recently about these Korean islands. But it will be interesting to hear what will hopefully be a measured statement of the facts and arguments why Japan has no genuine claim over them.
Dokdo, Historical Awareness, and Korea-Japan Relations
Speaker: Mr. Seokwoo Lee – Professor of Law, Inha University Law School (D.Phil. in International Law)
19:00-20:30 Tuesday 9th October 2012
Korean Cultural Centre UK (1-3 Strand, Grand Buildings, London WC2N 5BW T. 0207 227 5500)Entry is free but booking is recommended. To reserve a place, please RSVP to [email protected] or +44(0)020 7004 2600.
Refreshments will be served after the lecture.
Synopsis
Through this presentation I hope to introduce a sense of clarity to the diplomatic challenge surrounding the claim by Japan on Dokdo in recent weeks.
Bilateral relations between Korea and Japan have greatly suffered following the row provoked by Japan. Japan’s repeated attempts to lodge claims over Dokdo raises discomfiting memories of the Japanese colonial era.
I will clarify why Korea will not agree to take the Dokdo sovereignty issue to the International Court of Justice and why Japan should withdraw the claim which geographically, historically and based on international law, does not make sense.
This event is organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea
Embassy of the Republic of Korea | 60 Buckingham Gate London SW1E 6AJ | +44 (0)20 7227 5500
