1403 (3rd year of King Taejong’s reign)
In the 8th lunar month, following the advice of Gangneung’s provincial governor, King Taejong ordered residents of Mureung Island (present-day Dokdo) to move to the mainland.
*Source: Taejongsillok (Annals of King Taejong), vol. 6
1407 (7th year of King Taejong’s reign)
In the 3rd lunar month, Lord So Sadashige of the Japanese island Takeshima (Daemado) returned Joseon captives and paid tribute to Joseon with local goods. He petitioned King Taejong for permission to send settlers to Mureung Island (present-day Dokdo), but the king denied his request.
* Source: Taejongsillok (Annals of King Taejong), vol. 13
1416 (16th year of King Taejong’s reign)
In the 9th lunar month, former Local Commander Kim In-u from Samhcheok was appointed Governor of Mureung and its vicinity to relocate people who had settled on the island illegally.
*Source: Taejongsillok (Annals of King Taejong), vol.32
1417 (17th year of King Taejong’s reign)
In the 11th lunar month, the Lord of Ureung sent his son, Bueoingdarang, as an emissary to pay tribute to Goryeo in the form of local goods.
* Source: “Deokjongsega (Records of King Deokjong)” from Goryeosa, vol. 5.
1425 (7th year of King Sejong’s reign)
In the 10th lunar month, Governor Kim In u captured and evicted 20 civilians from Usan-Mureung Islands and relocated them to a remote village in Chungcheong Province, giving them a tax abatement for 3 years for financial support.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Sejong), vol. 30
1429 (11th year of King Sejong’s reign)
In the 12th lunar month, Agricultural Minister Yi An-gyeong was sent to Gangwon Province on an information gathering mission to learn the whereabouts of an island said to be called Yodo.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Sejong), vol. 46
1430 (12th year of King Sejong’s reign)
－ Armed with information gathered by Yi An-gyeong on his trip in search of Yodo, the Governor of Hamgil Province was dispatched to find Yodo and to study the island’s topography and the life of its inhabitants.
－ In April, General Hong Sa-seok and Jeon Nong-yun traveled to Gangwon Province and Sin In-son to Hamgil Province to find Yodo.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Sejong), vols. 47, 48
1432 (14th year of King Sejong’s reign)
The following is an excerpt from Sinchan paldo jirijji (New Geographical Description of the Eight Provinces) published in 1432: “Usan and Mureung are located in the sea due east of Uljin-hyeon. The two islands can be seen from each other on a clear day.” The same information also appeared in the Sejongsillok jiriji (Geography Section of the Annals of King Sejong) published in 1454 (2nd year of King Danjong’s reign).
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Sejong), vol. 153
1436 (18th year of King Sejong’s reign)
In the leap month of the 6th lunar month, Yu Gye-mun, Governor of Gangwon Province, proposed the establishment of a settlement on Usan near Mureung and the assignment of a local commander and a magistrate there but his request was denied.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Sejong), vol. 73
1438 (20th year of King Sejong’s reign)
In the 4th lunar month, former military officers Nam Hoe and Jo Min were appointed as Mureung Investigators. In July, they returned from the island along with 66 settlers and local goods.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Sejong), vols. 81, 82
1438 (20th year of King Sejong’s reign)
In the 7th lunar month, the provincial governor of Gangwon was dispatched on another exploratory mission in search of Yodo.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Sejong), vol. 82
1445 (27th year of King Sejong’s reign)
In 8th lunar month, King Sejong announced that he would award a prize to the explorer who found Yodo. Nam Hoe also went to look for Yodo, but all attempts failed.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Sejong), vol. 82
1451 (1st year of King Munjong’s reign)
The following is an excerpt from Goryeosa (History of Goryeo) published in 1451: ‘Ulleungdo is located in the sea due east of Uljin-hyeon. … It is said that Usan and Mureung are two separate islands and as they are not far apart they can be seen from each other on a clear day.’
* Source: Article on Uljin-hyeon, Eastern Frontier, in “Geography 3” from Goryeosa vol. 58
1472 (3rd year of King Seongjong’s reign)
－ In the 2nd lunar month, the Ministry of War petitioned for permission to search for Sambongdo (Dokdo). In the 4th lunar month, Sambong Investigator Park Jong-won set out on his expedition.
－ In the 6th lunar month, the provincial governor of Gangwon filed a report indicating that the expedition set sail at Port Uljin on 28th day of the 5th lunar month, and encountered a gale. The strong winds forced Park Jong-won to harbor at Ganseong-gun. Three other ships, including military official Gwak Yeong-gang’s boat, made land on Mureung Island and explored the island before returning to Ugye-hyeon in Gangneung on the 6th day of the 6th lunar month.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Seongjong), vols. 15, 17 and 19
1473 (4th year of King Seongjong’s reign)
In the 1st lunar month, Jeong Nan-jong, the Governor of Yeongan, was dispatched on an information gathering mission with regard to Sambongdo and Yodo.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Seongjong), vol. 26
1476 (7th year of King Seongjong’s reign)
－ In the 6th lunar month, in response to claims made by Kim Han-gyeong and other officials that they had visited Sambongdo, King Seongjong ordered Governor Yi Geuk-yun of Yeongan to send an expedition to search for the island.
－ Yi sent Kim Ja-ju, who made land on the island in the 9th lunar month and returned in the 10th lunar month, having made a sketch of the island.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Seongjong), vol. 72
1479 (10th year of King Seongjong’s reign)
In the leap month of the 10th lunar month, Investigator Jo Wi from Yeongan reported that 21 explorers, including Kim Han-gyeong and Kim Ja-ju, set sail for Sambongdo on the 27th day of the 10th lunar month. However, they failed to locate the island.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Seongjong), vol. 110
1480 (11th year of King Seongjong’s reign)
In the 2nd lunar month, General Jeong Seok-hui and military training officer Park Jong-won were sent into exile for trying to avoid the position of Sambongdo Investigator. In the 5th lunar month, King Seongjong ordered Investigator Shim An-in to suspend the expeditions to Sambongdo.
* Source: Seongjongsillok (Annals of King Seongjong), vols.114, 117
1481 (12th year of King Seongjong’s reign), Vol. 114-117.
The following was published in Dongguk yeoji seungnam (Survey of the Geography of Korea): ‘There are Usando and Ulleungdo (or Mureung and Ulleung Islands) in Sancheon-jo, Uljin-hyeon in Gangwon Province. The two islands are in the sea due east of Uljin-hyeon. On a clear day, scenery such as trees and plants can be seen from each other and if the wind is calm, it takes two days to reach there. It is also said that Usan and Ulleung were once one island.’ This passage also appeared in Sinjeung dongguk yeoji seungnam (Augmented Survey of the Geography of Korea) published in 1530 (25th year of King Jungjong’s reign).
* Source: Sancheon-jo, Uljin-hyeon in Gangwon Province in Sinjeung dongguk yeoji seungnam (Augmented Survey of the Geography of Korea), Vol. 45
1614 (6th year of King Gwanghaegun’s reign)
－ In the 6th lunar month, Joseon received a petition from the Lord of Japanese island Tsushima for a guide to Uijukdo (Ulleungdo) in order to explore the topography of the island, but the government denied his request.
－ In the 9th lunar month, Joseon received the Lord of Tsushima’s request for a permit to establish residence on Ulleungdo, but this request was also denied.
* Source: Gwanghaegun ilgi (Daily Records of King Gwanghaegun), Vol. 82; and, an article on Ulleungdo from “Japjo” (Miscellaneous Articles) in Byeollyejibyo (Record of Korean-Japanese Relations), Vol. 17.
1693 (19th year of King Sukjong’s reign)
－In the 3rd lunar month, a quarrel between roughly 40 fishermen from Dongnae (present-day Busan), Ulsan, and some Japanese fishermen broke out on Ulleungdo. In the course of the dispute, the Japanese fishermen took An Yong-bok and another Korean fisherman named Park Eo-dun to the Japanese island of Oki against their will. Upon arriving, An appeared before the Lord of Oki Island to protest his abduction by force. He then met Lord of Hokishu (present-day Tottori Prefecture) and asserted Korean ownership of Ulleungdo and demanded a complete halt to illegal fishing and trespassing on the island by Japanese fishermen. At the request of the Lord of Hokishu, the Tokugawa Shogunate prepared a letter to that effect for An. (This fishing rights dispute is commonly referred to as An’s first journey to Japan).
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 26, 30; Article on Ulleungdo from “Japjo (Miscellaneous Articles)” in Byeollyejibyo (Record of Korean-Japanese Relations), vol. 17.; “Article on Facts about Ulleungdo” from Oju yeonmun jangjeon sango (Collection of Writings on Various Topics by Oju Yi Gyu-gyeong) vol. 35; “Border Region” from Yeonam jeonseo (Collected Writings of Yeonam Sin Gyeong-jun) vol. 7
－In the 11th lunar month, the Lord of Tsushima repatriated An Yong-bok and Park Eo-dun after charging them with unlawful entry into Japanese territory. The Lord of Tsushima sent them with a letter, in which he referred to Ulleungdo as Jukdo and claimed sovereignty over it, demanding that Korea stop fishing in the waters around the island.
－ In the 12th lunar month, Protocol Officer Hong Jung-ha paid an official visit to the Japanese settlement (waegwan) in Dongnae and met with Japanese envoy Tachibana Masachige.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 26; Article on Ulleungdo from “Japjo (Miscellaneous Articles)” in Byeollyejibyo (Record of Korean-Japanese Relations), vol. 17; “Article on Facts about Ulleungdo” from Oju yeonmun jangjeon sango (Collection of Writings on Various Topics by Oju Yi Gyu-gyeong) vol. 35; “Border Region” from Yeonam jeonseo (Collected Writings of Yeonam Sin Gyeong-jun) vol. 7
1694 (20th year of King Sukjong’s reign)
－ In the 2nd lunar month, on behalf of the Korean government, Hong Jung-ha delivered a letter to Japanese envoy Tachibana which stated:“Ulleungdo belongs to Joseon, while Jukdo belongs to Japan.” Tachibana asked Hong to delete the reference to Ulleungdo from the letter, but he refused. - In July, Royal Military Messenger Seong Cho-hyeong petitioned to establish a settlement on Ulleungdo, but the proposal was rejected.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 26, 27; Article on Ulleungdo from “Japjo (Miscellaneous Articles)” in Byeollyejibyo (Record of Korean-Japanese Relations), vol. 17.
1694 (20th year of King Sukjong’s reign)
- In the 8th lunar month, Japanese envoy Tachibana repeated his request that Joseon delete the reference to Ulleungdo from the letter. Because of Tachibana’s repeated requests led to the Korean government decided to take stronger measures with Japan. Yu Jip-il, the newly appointed Protocol Officer, was sent to the Japanese settlement in Dongnae, carrying a reworded letter. At the same time, the Korean government sent Investigator Jang Han-sang from Samcheok to Ulleungdo to complete a full investigation into the matter.
Yu Jip-il questioned An Yong-bok about the events and delivered a strong rebuke to Japanese envoy Tachibana for Japan’s wrongful conduct. He also delivered a second letter which stated:“Ulleungdo and Jukdo are names for the same island, and Ulleungdo belongs to Korea.” Jang Han-sang departed from Ulleungdo on the 19th day of the 9th lunar month and arrived in Samcheok in Gangwon province on the 6th day of the 10th lunar month, having been delayed by the inadequate marine transportation system. As a result of this incident, rather than settle the island, the Korean government decided to establish a system of periodic military patrols in the waters around the island, a system known as the Government Patrol System. In the meantime, Jang Han-sang observed Dokdo, located southeast of Ulleungdo.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 27; Article on Ulleungdo from “Japjo (Miscellaneous Articles)” in Byeollyejibyo (Record of Korean-Japanese Relations), vol. 17.; Ulleungdo sajeok (Records of Expedition to Ulleungdo).
1696 (22nd year of King Sukjong’s reign)
－ In the 1st lunar month, the Tokugawa Shogunate prohibited Japanese nationals from entering the waters around Ulleungdo.
－ In the 8th lunar month, An Yong-bok paid a second visit to Japan, this time accompanied by other crewmen, including Yi In-seong of Pyeongsanpo (presently part of North Korea), traveling through Ulleungdo and Dokdo. Following their arrival on the Japanese island of Hokishu, An Yong-bok referred to himself as the Tax Officer for Ulleung and Jasan Islands, and appeared before the Lord of Hokishu to protest Japan’s continued encroachment on Korean territory. The Lord of Hokishu punished those who trespassed on the island, and reaffirmed Korean ownership of Dokdo in his statement that “the two islands belong to Joseon, so if the Japanese, including the Lord of Tsushima, encroach upon the islands, they will be heavily punished.” An Yong-bok withdrew his request to take the case to the Tokugawa Shogunate, and returned to Yangyang in Gangwon province.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 30.
1697 (23rd year of King Sukjong’s reign)
－ In the 1st lunar month, a Japanese envoy from Tsushima, following an order of the Tokugawa Shogunate, came to confirm Jukdo as Joseon’s territory, and indicated that Japanese would be banned from the island.
－ In the 3rd lunar month, in recognition of An Yong-bok’s achievement, the Korean government stayed his pending execution on charges of causing an international dispute without government authorization and converted his sentence to life in exile.
－ In the 4th lunar month, Joseon decided to increase patrols of the waters around the island to once every three years.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 31; Seungjeongwon ilgi (The Diaries of the Royal Secretariat) (13th day of the 4th lunar year in the 23rd year of King Sukjong’s reign); Article on Ulleungdo from “Japjo (Miscellaneous Articles)” in Byeollyejibyo (Record of Korean-Japanese Relations), vol. 17.
1699 (25th year of King Sukjong’s reign)
In the 7th lunar month, having patrolled Ulleungdo under the Government Patrol System, Local Commander Jeon Hoe-il from Wolsong dedicated a map of the island along with a gift of its local products to the king. His voyage was the first under the newly implemented system, since Joseon had been unable to send a patrol during the 24th year of King Sukjong’s reign due to a bad harvest in Yeongdong province.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 33.
1702 (28th year of King Sukjong’s reign)
In the 5th lunar month, Local Commander Yi Jun-myeong of Samcheok, having patrolled Ulleungdo, presented a map of Ulleungdo along with a gift of the island’s local products to the king.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 36.
1705 (31st year of King Sukjong’s reign)
On the 16th day of the 6th lunar month, several military officers, including Hwang Ni-geon, from Pyeonghae and other regions, drowned on their way back from patrolling Ulleungdo. The Korean government held funeral services for them.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 42.
1708 (34th year of King Sukjong’s reign)
In the 2nd lunar month, Officer Kim Man-chae petitioned to establish a settlement on Ulleungdo, but the proposal was denied.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 46.
1717 (43rd year of King Sukjong’s reign)
In the 3rd lunar month, Yi Man-gyeon, the provincial governor of Gangwon, asked that the government patrol of Ulleungdo be suspended for the year due to a bad harvest and his request was approved by the government.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 59.
1726 (2nd year of King Yeongjo’s reign)
In the 10th lunar month, a Confucian scholar from Gangwon named Yi Seung-su petitioned to establish a settlement on Ulleungdo and begin farming the land, but the proposal was denied.
* Source: Yeongjosillok (Annals of King Yeongjo) vol. 1.
1735 (11th year of King Yeongjo’s reign)
In the 1st lunar month, Governor of Gangwon Province Jo Choe-su sought permission to suspend the Government Patrol System for the year due to a bad harvest but the request was denied
* Source: Yeongjosillok (Annals of King Yeongjo) vol. 40.
1769 (45th year of King Yeongjo’s reign)
In the 10th lunar month, at the suggestion of Chief High State Councilor Hong Bong-han, the Korean government decided to publish a collection of historical documents on Ulleungdo in book form. King Yeongjo ordered the Chief Official for Production and Technology Won In-son to work with a former local commander of Samcheok in preparing sketches of the topography and local specialties of Ulleungdo to be included in the publication
* Source: Yeongjosillok (Annals of King Yeongjo) vol. 113.
1775 (51st year of King Yeongjo’s reign)
The first map of the region to include longitude and latitude was the “Nihon yochi rotei zenzu” (Complete Map of Japan) by Nagakubo Sekisui in which Ulleungdo was identified as “Takesima” or “Isotakesima” and Dokdo was identified as “Matsusima.” To the left of Ulleungdo, the map states, “Looking at Goryeo (Korea) from this island is the same as looking at Onshu (present-day Oki Island) from the Izumo region.” Following this logic, it can be inferred that at the time Japan clearly considered Ulleungdo and Dokdo to be part of Korea.
* Source: Nihon yochi rotei zenzu (Complete Map of Japan)
1785 (9th year of King Jeongjo’s reign)
In both “Sangoku setsujozu” (Map of the Boundary Between China, Korea and Japan) and “Chosen koku zenzu” (Map of the Eight Provinces of Joseon), which accompany the Japanese book Sangoku tsuran zusetsu (An Illustrated General Survey of Three Countries) by Hayashi Shihei, Ulleungdo and Dokdo are identified as Joseon territory.
* Source: Sangoku tsuran zusetsu
1787 (11th year of King Jeongjo’s reign)
On the 14th day of the 7th lunar month, Ulsan fishermen were arrested at Samcheok Wharf on their way back from gathering abalones, juniper trees, and bamboo on Ulleungdo.
* Source: Jeongjosillok (Annals of King Jeongjo) vol. 24.
1794 (18th year of King Jeongjo’s reign)
In the 6th lunar month, Governor of Gangwon Province Sim Jin-hyeon filed a report to the Korean government following his patrol of Ulleungdo. Local Commander Han Chang-guk from Wolseong left Ulleungdo on the 21st day of the 4th lunar month and returned to Joseon on the 8th day of the 5th lunar month. On the 26th day of the 4th lunar month, during his stay in Ulleungdo, he also visited Gajido (Dokdo).
* Source: Jeongjosillok (Annals of King Jeongjo) vol. 40.
In the 8th lunar month, following the advice of Gangneung’s provincial governor, King Taejong ordered residents of Mureung Island (present-day Dokdo) to move to the mainland.
*Source: Taejongsillok (Annals of King Taejong), vol. 6
1407 (7th year of King Taejong’s reign)
In the 3rd lunar month, Lord So Sadashige of the Japanese island Takeshima (Daemado) returned Joseon captives and paid tribute to Joseon with local goods. He petitioned King Taejong for permission to send settlers to Mureung Island (present-day Dokdo), but the king denied his request.
* Source: Taejongsillok (Annals of King Taejong), vol. 13
1416 (16th year of King Taejong’s reign)
In the 9th lunar month, former Local Commander Kim In-u from Samhcheok was appointed Governor of Mureung and its vicinity to relocate people who had settled on the island illegally.
*Source: Taejongsillok (Annals of King Taejong), vol.32
1417 (17th year of King Taejong’s reign)
In the 11th lunar month, the Lord of Ureung sent his son, Bueoingdarang, as an emissary to pay tribute to Goryeo in the form of local goods.
* Source: “Deokjongsega (Records of King Deokjong)” from Goryeosa, vol. 5.
1425 (7th year of King Sejong’s reign)
In the 10th lunar month, Governor Kim In u captured and evicted 20 civilians from Usan-Mureung Islands and relocated them to a remote village in Chungcheong Province, giving them a tax abatement for 3 years for financial support.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Sejong), vol. 30
1429 (11th year of King Sejong’s reign)
In the 12th lunar month, Agricultural Minister Yi An-gyeong was sent to Gangwon Province on an information gathering mission to learn the whereabouts of an island said to be called Yodo.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Sejong), vol. 46
1430 (12th year of King Sejong’s reign)
－ Armed with information gathered by Yi An-gyeong on his trip in search of Yodo, the Governor of Hamgil Province was dispatched to find Yodo and to study the island’s topography and the life of its inhabitants.
－ In April, General Hong Sa-seok and Jeon Nong-yun traveled to Gangwon Province and Sin In-son to Hamgil Province to find Yodo.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Sejong), vols. 47, 48
1432 (14th year of King Sejong’s reign)
The following is an excerpt from Sinchan paldo jirijji (New Geographical Description of the Eight Provinces) published in 1432: “Usan and Mureung are located in the sea due east of Uljin-hyeon. The two islands can be seen from each other on a clear day.” The same information also appeared in the Sejongsillok jiriji (Geography Section of the Annals of King Sejong) published in 1454 (2nd year of King Danjong’s reign).
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Sejong), vol. 153
1436 (18th year of King Sejong’s reign)
In the leap month of the 6th lunar month, Yu Gye-mun, Governor of Gangwon Province, proposed the establishment of a settlement on Usan near Mureung and the assignment of a local commander and a magistrate there but his request was denied.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Sejong), vol. 73
1438 (20th year of King Sejong’s reign)
In the 4th lunar month, former military officers Nam Hoe and Jo Min were appointed as Mureung Investigators. In July, they returned from the island along with 66 settlers and local goods.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Sejong), vols. 81, 82
1438 (20th year of King Sejong’s reign)
In the 7th lunar month, the provincial governor of Gangwon was dispatched on another exploratory mission in search of Yodo.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Sejong), vol. 82
1445 (27th year of King Sejong’s reign)
In 8th lunar month, King Sejong announced that he would award a prize to the explorer who found Yodo. Nam Hoe also went to look for Yodo, but all attempts failed.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Sejong), vol. 82
1451 (1st year of King Munjong’s reign)
The following is an excerpt from Goryeosa (History of Goryeo) published in 1451: ‘Ulleungdo is located in the sea due east of Uljin-hyeon. … It is said that Usan and Mureung are two separate islands and as they are not far apart they can be seen from each other on a clear day.’
* Source: Article on Uljin-hyeon, Eastern Frontier, in “Geography 3” from Goryeosa vol. 58
1472 (3rd year of King Seongjong’s reign)
－ In the 2nd lunar month, the Ministry of War petitioned for permission to search for Sambongdo (Dokdo). In the 4th lunar month, Sambong Investigator Park Jong-won set out on his expedition.
－ In the 6th lunar month, the provincial governor of Gangwon filed a report indicating that the expedition set sail at Port Uljin on 28th day of the 5th lunar month, and encountered a gale. The strong winds forced Park Jong-won to harbor at Ganseong-gun. Three other ships, including military official Gwak Yeong-gang’s boat, made land on Mureung Island and explored the island before returning to Ugye-hyeon in Gangneung on the 6th day of the 6th lunar month.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Seongjong), vols. 15, 17 and 19
1473 (4th year of King Seongjong’s reign)
In the 1st lunar month, Jeong Nan-jong, the Governor of Yeongan, was dispatched on an information gathering mission with regard to Sambongdo and Yodo.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Seongjong), vol. 26
1476 (7th year of King Seongjong’s reign)
－ In the 6th lunar month, in response to claims made by Kim Han-gyeong and other officials that they had visited Sambongdo, King Seongjong ordered Governor Yi Geuk-yun of Yeongan to send an expedition to search for the island.
－ Yi sent Kim Ja-ju, who made land on the island in the 9th lunar month and returned in the 10th lunar month, having made a sketch of the island.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Seongjong), vol. 72
1479 (10th year of King Seongjong’s reign)
In the leap month of the 10th lunar month, Investigator Jo Wi from Yeongan reported that 21 explorers, including Kim Han-gyeong and Kim Ja-ju, set sail for Sambongdo on the 27th day of the 10th lunar month. However, they failed to locate the island.
* Source: Sejongsillok (Annals of King Seongjong), vol. 110
1480 (11th year of King Seongjong’s reign)
In the 2nd lunar month, General Jeong Seok-hui and military training officer Park Jong-won were sent into exile for trying to avoid the position of Sambongdo Investigator. In the 5th lunar month, King Seongjong ordered Investigator Shim An-in to suspend the expeditions to Sambongdo.
* Source: Seongjongsillok (Annals of King Seongjong), vols.114, 117
1481 (12th year of King Seongjong’s reign), Vol. 114-117.
The following was published in Dongguk yeoji seungnam (Survey of the Geography of Korea): ‘There are Usando and Ulleungdo (or Mureung and Ulleung Islands) in Sancheon-jo, Uljin-hyeon in Gangwon Province. The two islands are in the sea due east of Uljin-hyeon. On a clear day, scenery such as trees and plants can be seen from each other and if the wind is calm, it takes two days to reach there. It is also said that Usan and Ulleung were once one island.’ This passage also appeared in Sinjeung dongguk yeoji seungnam (Augmented Survey of the Geography of Korea) published in 1530 (25th year of King Jungjong’s reign).
* Source: Sancheon-jo, Uljin-hyeon in Gangwon Province in Sinjeung dongguk yeoji seungnam (Augmented Survey of the Geography of Korea), Vol. 45
1614 (6th year of King Gwanghaegun’s reign)
－ In the 6th lunar month, Joseon received a petition from the Lord of Japanese island Tsushima for a guide to Uijukdo (Ulleungdo) in order to explore the topography of the island, but the government denied his request.
－ In the 9th lunar month, Joseon received the Lord of Tsushima’s request for a permit to establish residence on Ulleungdo, but this request was also denied.
* Source: Gwanghaegun ilgi (Daily Records of King Gwanghaegun), Vol. 82; and, an article on Ulleungdo from “Japjo” (Miscellaneous Articles) in Byeollyejibyo (Record of Korean-Japanese Relations), Vol. 17.
1693 (19th year of King Sukjong’s reign)
－In the 3rd lunar month, a quarrel between roughly 40 fishermen from Dongnae (present-day Busan), Ulsan, and some Japanese fishermen broke out on Ulleungdo. In the course of the dispute, the Japanese fishermen took An Yong-bok and another Korean fisherman named Park Eo-dun to the Japanese island of Oki against their will. Upon arriving, An appeared before the Lord of Oki Island to protest his abduction by force. He then met Lord of Hokishu (present-day Tottori Prefecture) and asserted Korean ownership of Ulleungdo and demanded a complete halt to illegal fishing and trespassing on the island by Japanese fishermen. At the request of the Lord of Hokishu, the Tokugawa Shogunate prepared a letter to that effect for An. (This fishing rights dispute is commonly referred to as An’s first journey to Japan).
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 26, 30; Article on Ulleungdo from “Japjo (Miscellaneous Articles)” in Byeollyejibyo (Record of Korean-Japanese Relations), vol. 17.; “Article on Facts about Ulleungdo” from Oju yeonmun jangjeon sango (Collection of Writings on Various Topics by Oju Yi Gyu-gyeong) vol. 35; “Border Region” from Yeonam jeonseo (Collected Writings of Yeonam Sin Gyeong-jun) vol. 7
－In the 11th lunar month, the Lord of Tsushima repatriated An Yong-bok and Park Eo-dun after charging them with unlawful entry into Japanese territory. The Lord of Tsushima sent them with a letter, in which he referred to Ulleungdo as Jukdo and claimed sovereignty over it, demanding that Korea stop fishing in the waters around the island.
－ In the 12th lunar month, Protocol Officer Hong Jung-ha paid an official visit to the Japanese settlement (waegwan) in Dongnae and met with Japanese envoy Tachibana Masachige.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 26; Article on Ulleungdo from “Japjo (Miscellaneous Articles)” in Byeollyejibyo (Record of Korean-Japanese Relations), vol. 17; “Article on Facts about Ulleungdo” from Oju yeonmun jangjeon sango (Collection of Writings on Various Topics by Oju Yi Gyu-gyeong) vol. 35; “Border Region” from Yeonam jeonseo (Collected Writings of Yeonam Sin Gyeong-jun) vol. 7
1694 (20th year of King Sukjong’s reign)
－ In the 2nd lunar month, on behalf of the Korean government, Hong Jung-ha delivered a letter to Japanese envoy Tachibana which stated:“Ulleungdo belongs to Joseon, while Jukdo belongs to Japan.” Tachibana asked Hong to delete the reference to Ulleungdo from the letter, but he refused. - In July, Royal Military Messenger Seong Cho-hyeong petitioned to establish a settlement on Ulleungdo, but the proposal was rejected.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 26, 27; Article on Ulleungdo from “Japjo (Miscellaneous Articles)” in Byeollyejibyo (Record of Korean-Japanese Relations), vol. 17.
1694 (20th year of King Sukjong’s reign)
- In the 8th lunar month, Japanese envoy Tachibana repeated his request that Joseon delete the reference to Ulleungdo from the letter. Because of Tachibana’s repeated requests led to the Korean government decided to take stronger measures with Japan. Yu Jip-il, the newly appointed Protocol Officer, was sent to the Japanese settlement in Dongnae, carrying a reworded letter. At the same time, the Korean government sent Investigator Jang Han-sang from Samcheok to Ulleungdo to complete a full investigation into the matter.
Yu Jip-il questioned An Yong-bok about the events and delivered a strong rebuke to Japanese envoy Tachibana for Japan’s wrongful conduct. He also delivered a second letter which stated:“Ulleungdo and Jukdo are names for the same island, and Ulleungdo belongs to Korea.” Jang Han-sang departed from Ulleungdo on the 19th day of the 9th lunar month and arrived in Samcheok in Gangwon province on the 6th day of the 10th lunar month, having been delayed by the inadequate marine transportation system. As a result of this incident, rather than settle the island, the Korean government decided to establish a system of periodic military patrols in the waters around the island, a system known as the Government Patrol System. In the meantime, Jang Han-sang observed Dokdo, located southeast of Ulleungdo.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 27; Article on Ulleungdo from “Japjo (Miscellaneous Articles)” in Byeollyejibyo (Record of Korean-Japanese Relations), vol. 17.; Ulleungdo sajeok (Records of Expedition to Ulleungdo).
1696 (22nd year of King Sukjong’s reign)
－ In the 1st lunar month, the Tokugawa Shogunate prohibited Japanese nationals from entering the waters around Ulleungdo.
－ In the 8th lunar month, An Yong-bok paid a second visit to Japan, this time accompanied by other crewmen, including Yi In-seong of Pyeongsanpo (presently part of North Korea), traveling through Ulleungdo and Dokdo. Following their arrival on the Japanese island of Hokishu, An Yong-bok referred to himself as the Tax Officer for Ulleung and Jasan Islands, and appeared before the Lord of Hokishu to protest Japan’s continued encroachment on Korean territory. The Lord of Hokishu punished those who trespassed on the island, and reaffirmed Korean ownership of Dokdo in his statement that “the two islands belong to Joseon, so if the Japanese, including the Lord of Tsushima, encroach upon the islands, they will be heavily punished.” An Yong-bok withdrew his request to take the case to the Tokugawa Shogunate, and returned to Yangyang in Gangwon province.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 30.
1697 (23rd year of King Sukjong’s reign)
－ In the 1st lunar month, a Japanese envoy from Tsushima, following an order of the Tokugawa Shogunate, came to confirm Jukdo as Joseon’s territory, and indicated that Japanese would be banned from the island.
－ In the 3rd lunar month, in recognition of An Yong-bok’s achievement, the Korean government stayed his pending execution on charges of causing an international dispute without government authorization and converted his sentence to life in exile.
－ In the 4th lunar month, Joseon decided to increase patrols of the waters around the island to once every three years.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 31; Seungjeongwon ilgi (The Diaries of the Royal Secretariat) (13th day of the 4th lunar year in the 23rd year of King Sukjong’s reign); Article on Ulleungdo from “Japjo (Miscellaneous Articles)” in Byeollyejibyo (Record of Korean-Japanese Relations), vol. 17.
1699 (25th year of King Sukjong’s reign)
In the 7th lunar month, having patrolled Ulleungdo under the Government Patrol System, Local Commander Jeon Hoe-il from Wolsong dedicated a map of the island along with a gift of its local products to the king. His voyage was the first under the newly implemented system, since Joseon had been unable to send a patrol during the 24th year of King Sukjong’s reign due to a bad harvest in Yeongdong province.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 33.
1702 (28th year of King Sukjong’s reign)
In the 5th lunar month, Local Commander Yi Jun-myeong of Samcheok, having patrolled Ulleungdo, presented a map of Ulleungdo along with a gift of the island’s local products to the king.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 36.
1705 (31st year of King Sukjong’s reign)
On the 16th day of the 6th lunar month, several military officers, including Hwang Ni-geon, from Pyeonghae and other regions, drowned on their way back from patrolling Ulleungdo. The Korean government held funeral services for them.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 42.
1708 (34th year of King Sukjong’s reign)
In the 2nd lunar month, Officer Kim Man-chae petitioned to establish a settlement on Ulleungdo, but the proposal was denied.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 46.
1717 (43rd year of King Sukjong’s reign)
In the 3rd lunar month, Yi Man-gyeon, the provincial governor of Gangwon, asked that the government patrol of Ulleungdo be suspended for the year due to a bad harvest and his request was approved by the government.
* Source: Sukjongsillok (Annals of King Sukjong), vol. 59.
1726 (2nd year of King Yeongjo’s reign)
In the 10th lunar month, a Confucian scholar from Gangwon named Yi Seung-su petitioned to establish a settlement on Ulleungdo and begin farming the land, but the proposal was denied.
* Source: Yeongjosillok (Annals of King Yeongjo) vol. 1.
1735 (11th year of King Yeongjo’s reign)
In the 1st lunar month, Governor of Gangwon Province Jo Choe-su sought permission to suspend the Government Patrol System for the year due to a bad harvest but the request was denied
* Source: Yeongjosillok (Annals of King Yeongjo) vol. 40.
1769 (45th year of King Yeongjo’s reign)
In the 10th lunar month, at the suggestion of Chief High State Councilor Hong Bong-han, the Korean government decided to publish a collection of historical documents on Ulleungdo in book form. King Yeongjo ordered the Chief Official for Production and Technology Won In-son to work with a former local commander of Samcheok in preparing sketches of the topography and local specialties of Ulleungdo to be included in the publication
* Source: Yeongjosillok (Annals of King Yeongjo) vol. 113.
1775 (51st year of King Yeongjo’s reign)
The first map of the region to include longitude and latitude was the “Nihon yochi rotei zenzu” (Complete Map of Japan) by Nagakubo Sekisui in which Ulleungdo was identified as “Takesima” or “Isotakesima” and Dokdo was identified as “Matsusima.” To the left of Ulleungdo, the map states, “Looking at Goryeo (Korea) from this island is the same as looking at Onshu (present-day Oki Island) from the Izumo region.” Following this logic, it can be inferred that at the time Japan clearly considered Ulleungdo and Dokdo to be part of Korea.
* Source: Nihon yochi rotei zenzu (Complete Map of Japan)
1785 (9th year of King Jeongjo’s reign)
In both “Sangoku setsujozu” (Map of the Boundary Between China, Korea and Japan) and “Chosen koku zenzu” (Map of the Eight Provinces of Joseon), which accompany the Japanese book Sangoku tsuran zusetsu (An Illustrated General Survey of Three Countries) by Hayashi Shihei, Ulleungdo and Dokdo are identified as Joseon territory.
* Source: Sangoku tsuran zusetsu
1787 (11th year of King Jeongjo’s reign)
On the 14th day of the 7th lunar month, Ulsan fishermen were arrested at Samcheok Wharf on their way back from gathering abalones, juniper trees, and bamboo on Ulleungdo.
* Source: Jeongjosillok (Annals of King Jeongjo) vol. 24.
1794 (18th year of King Jeongjo’s reign)
In the 6th lunar month, Governor of Gangwon Province Sim Jin-hyeon filed a report to the Korean government following his patrol of Ulleungdo. Local Commander Han Chang-guk from Wolseong left Ulleungdo on the 21st day of the 4th lunar month and returned to Joseon on the 8th day of the 5th lunar month. On the 26th day of the 4th lunar month, during his stay in Ulleungdo, he also visited Gajido (Dokdo).
* Source: Jeongjosillok (Annals of King Jeongjo) vol. 40.
