History is not something which can be arbitrarily stitched together from disparate parts. Dokdo was the first piece of sovereign Korean territory absorbed by Japan in the latter''s process of invading Joseon. For Japan to insist upon possession of Dokdo is no different from it, rejecting the history of the restoration of complete
sovereignty to the Republic of Korea. It is effectively a denial of Korea s history of liberation from Japanese rule.
In order to comprehend the significance of Japan''s actions, a proper understanding of how its invasion of the Korean peninsula unfolded - focusing on Japan''s incorporation of Dokdo in 1905 - is required. Without such an understanding of Japan s invasion, one will not be able to understand why Japan s insistence of ownership over Dokdo is baseless.
Therefore, a comprehensive survey is needed of historical events before and after the Russo - Japanese War as they relate to Japan''s seizure of Dokdo. We sincerely hope that all those who love Dokdo know how important this is to bringing closure to this island as a historical problem, setting right the wrongs committed by imperial Japan''s invasion of Joseon, and to completely returning rule over all Korean territory to the Republic of Korea.

Contents
1. A Painful History
- The First Sign of Invasion: The Japanese Seizure of Dokdo
2. Joseon Territory Nothing to zdo with Japan
- The Japanese Meiji government Recognized that ‘''Dokdo is Joseon Territory ’''
3. Forced Logic
- Why does Japan want to take the Dokdo Issue to the International Court of Justice?
4. The Land of Our People
- “"Dokdo,”" an Island Redolent of Korean Culture
Appendix : Timeline of Japan’s Invasion of Dokdo

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