The Journal of The Korean Association of Geographic and Environmental Education ISSN:1226-511X(Print) 2586-5641(Online) 한국지리환경교육학회지

Japan established ‘Takeshima Day’ in 2005, and since 2008, it has described Dokdo as Japanese territory in elementary and secondary school curricula and social studies textbooks, which has led to anti-Japanese sentiment in Korea. In response, Korea has strengthened Dokdo education in schools to protect Dokdo. The purpose of the study is to analyze the trends of Dokdo perceptions of Korean elementary and secondary school students who have systematically received Dokdo education and to identify its characteristics. The results of the study are as follows. First, all Korean students recognize Dokdo as Korean territory, which is due to the influence of school classes and the media. Second, the percentage of students who correctly recognize Dokdo’s location, island composition, and shape images increases as they go up in school. Third, most elementary and secondary school students predicted that the Dokdo issue would have a negative impact on future bilateral relations. In terms of the direction of a desirable solution, elementary school students believed that discussions between the Korean and Japanese governments were important, while secondary school students believed that Dokdo education was important.