How much can you feel the power of the media? Do you feel that the power of the media through information that is amusing and/or has deep emotion? After reading this article, your feelings about the media will change. You will think that the media shows not only information, amusement or deep emotion, but also another power that can change our world . CAH interviewed Seo Kyoung-duk, who is famous for publishing advertisements about Dokdo in major American newspapers.

On August 25, Seo Kyoung-duk he published an advertisement in the Washington Post proclaiming Dokdo to be a Korean territory. He also put in advertisements about the historical problems of Goguryeo and the rights of ‘comfort woman’ .

CAH: Why did you put the advertisements about Dokdo in a major American newspaper?
Seo: In 2005, Japan declared that it designated February 22 as “Takeshima Day”. After that, many Koreans were extremely angery and some people protested in front of the Japanese Embassy. What is worse, there was a man who tried to burn himself to death. These scenes were broadcasted by CNN, and shown all over the world.
 I wondered whether this angry reaction could be a solution to the problem. I also thought that foreigner’s would not understand Korea’s reactions. I thought about how I could show the Japanese injustice to the world more calmly and effectively. I decided to publish advertisements in major American newspapers, especially, the New York Times and Washington Post, which  are  famous newspapers read by many people all over the world. I intended to put advertisements these influential newspapers proclaiming Dokdo to be a Korean territory and make the world’s opinion agree with our opinion.

CAH: What was the process of making the advertisement? I think major American newspapers have a difficult deliberation, about how these advertisements could be put in the newspaper?
Seo: It takes about 6 months to make an advertisement. Once many designs for the advertisements are made, we send them to many Korean students studying abroad all over the world. They go to many foreigners and ask which advertisement is the most attractive. On average, each student will ask about 1000 foreigners. The most attractive advertisement is selected and it is sent to a major American newspaper.
 I had a hard time when I publish the first time. The newspaper’s deliberation is very complicated . I had to try to persuade them about our opinion , and through perseverence, and sincerity we could persuade them to publish it in the newspaper. The world focused on the advertisement.

CAH: In this year, you published an advertisement about Dokdo twice. How did you decide the date when we should publish it?
Seo :Seo: In general, Koreans are indifferent to Dokdo. ButHowever, if Japan makes an absurd remark about Dokdo first, it is too late for Koreans to respond. That is a problem. As Dokdo is our territory, we should claim our sovereignty more actively than Japan.
On July 14, Japan was to publish a sociology textbook that said Dokdo is Japanese territory. Before Japan published it, I decided to claim our sovereignty first. On July 9, I published an advertisement in the New York Times.
I also published it in a Washington Post on August 25 again, because Japan was suppose to publish ‘a manual of national defense’ on September 1. We have the right to always claim Dokdo as our territory, but why should we claim it, only when Japan makes an absurd remark about Dokdo?

CAH: How much of an impact did the advertisement have on the world?
Seo: Publishing the advertisement in a major American newspaper created a big sensation. After it was published, I received many e-mails from not only overseas Koreans but also many foreigners interested in Dokdo. I also have received several threatening e-mails and phone calls from Japanese. It can say that the advertisement hads had a ripple effect on the world. The effect was bigger than I  expected. Many Korean residents abroad who read it published the advertisement in their local newspaper to show our opinion to local residents. One overseas Korean, who manages a laundry in New York, attaches the advertisement to a plastic-wrapped package and delivers it with washed clothes to many local residents. Another Korean resident abroad who lives in Canada and works in a home-delivery service has delivered many parcels with the advertisement attached. In addition, many Korean students abroad created T-shirts, with the advertisement attached.
Publishing the advertisement in a major American newspaper resulted in other types of advertisements and helped spread it all over the world. In Korea, many companies have offered monetary support and netizens raised money then donated it to our cause. It was an enormous ripple effect. That is the power of the media.

CAH: Do you have a plan to show another type of advertisement claiming Dokdo to be Korean territory?
Seo: I am going to show the advertisement multifariously. I will also publish the advertisement in Time and Newsweek that are weekly newsmagazines. I am producing a documentary film about Dokdo. It will be in release about the end of September. I have a plan to exhibit it at the documentary festival and international film festival. I am also creating a video advertisement. It will be shown at Time’s Square where there are many global companies and tourists. The ripple effect from it will be tremendous. If a tourist takes a picture while a scene from the video is playing, it can be a kind of advertisement. If it is shown in CNN and BBC, the effect will be the greatest.
From these marvelous examples, you can feel that the power of the media is much more than you expected. 

CAH: What is your goal?
Seo: I identify myself as a Korean PR expert. I not only put out the advertisement about Dokdo but also make our country known to the rest of world. I have been to a lot of countries. However, I am disappointed few have heard of Korea. On the other hand, they knew about Japan and China well. Then, I decide to introduce my country and announce Japanese and Chinese injustice to the world. In this process, the media could be an important role. With my efforts, I want Korea to take the lead in the world as well as Jewish and overseas Chinese. That is my determined goal until I close my eyes.

What will you say if you are asked about Dokdo? Most of you may not be able to answer. Seo said that our enemy is not Japan or China but our indifference. The power of the media is surely great. However, if we pay more attention to it and support his work, the media he makes will be more powerful. The world is focusing on his media!