S. Koreans mark 'Day of Dokdo' with flash mobs, festivals

South Koreans held various events on Friday to commemorate the fourth "Day of Dokdo," renewing their determination to defend the country's easternmost islets of Dokdo from Japan's sovereignty claim.

In 2010, some local municipalities and civic groups designated Oct. 25 as Day of Dokdo in a move viewed as bolstering the country's sovereignty over the East Sea islets.

 A series of flash mobs of dancers and celebrations were held in Seoul and other large cities around the country to mark the day 113 years ago when King Gojong of Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) issued a royal order officially declaring the rocky outcroppings as part of South Korean territory.

 A Seoul-based civic group called "the headquarters for the people's action to defend Dokdo" hosted an event in downtown Seoul to mark the day.

 During the event, about 200 participants walked around the Gwanghwamun area in a traditional Korean "hahoe" mask, shaking hands with passers-by and saying "Dokdo is our (Korean) territory."

The group plans to continue the event for about a week.

 Dozens of dancers performed a flash mob to the tune of a Korean pop song on Dokdo during an event hosted by Hung Sa Dan, another civic group, at Tapgol Park, central Seoul.

 The organization also issued a statement urging Tokyo to correct its wrong description of Dokdo as Japanese territory in school textbooks, a defense white paper and other government-issued books.

 These events coincide with Japan recently stepping up its territorial claim over Dokdo, angering South Koreans.

 This week, Tokyo's foreign ministry was found to have uploaded a YouTube video highlighting its claim over Dokdo. Seoul condemned the video as a provocative act and demanded its immediate removal. (Yonhap News)