Dokdo Museum has a diverse collection of relics related to Dokdo and the East Sea

Sea of Japan

The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific...

. It was opened on August 8, 1997. The aim of Dokdo Museum is to collect and research Dokdo and the East Sea of Korea. Additionally, by exhibiting and managing these materials, Korea hopes to reinforce its strength against Japanese claims on what Korea considers its territory

Liancourt Rocks dispute

The Liancourt Rocks dispute is a territorial dispute between the Republic of Korea and Japan.Currently both the Republic of Korea and Japan claim sovereignty over Liancourt Rocks, a group of small islets in the Sea of Japan...

 on Dokdo.

Construction

Dokdo Museum was founded on the 50th anniversary of Korea's independence

Korean independence movement

The Korean independence movement grew out of the Japanese colonial rule of the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945. After the Japanese surrendered, Korea became independent; that day is now an annual holiday called Gwangbokjeol in South Korea, and Chogukhaebangŭi nal in North Korea.-Background:In...

. The museum was built embodying the shape of Sambongdo (Literally "Three Rocks Island," Dokdo's name in the Joseon Dynasty

Joseon Dynasty

Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...

). The first curator, the late Lee Jong-Hak, had collected many materials from all over the world. Dokdo Museum was also founded with help from the late Hong Sun-Chil, who was the leader of the Volunteer Guard of Dokdo. It is the only museum about territory in Korea.

Exhibition

The first exhibition hall feature materials about Korea, Japan and Russia from 512 to the 1990's. The second exhibition hall is about Japan’s groundless (from Korea's perspective) claims stemming from 'The Theory of Occupation' and the ‘Sea of Japan.' There old maps and references are exhibited from Korea and Japan. In the third exhibition hall, there are pictures of the Volunteer Guard of Dokdo and the Green Ulleung-Dokdo Club.