By Kim Bo-eun

The provincial council of Jeju Island has proposed once again that “Ieodo Day” be designated, in order to enhance public awareness at home and abroad about Ieodo, an underwater rock, off the resort island.

On Tuesday, two council members unveiled a bill on the designation of the special day. They said they will take the process of turning the bill into an ordinance after reflecting public opinion by May 5.

The two are Park Kyu-heon and Kang Kyung-chan who want to make clear that the rock is located in South Korean waters.

“In the situation of the government establishing a strategic point in the region, by having built an ocean research station on Ieodo in 2003, the enactment of the ordinance on Ieodo Day is necessary, to make people aware of the rock and to enhance the pride of Jeju citizens,” Park said.

The bill proposes that Jan. 18 be designated as Ieodo Day.

Jan. 18 is the day that the late President Syngman Rhee proclaimed maritime sovereignty for the conservation of resources of Korea’s coastal waters in 1952. The move was a response to Japan’s claim to Dokdo during the 1950-53 Korean War.

The Jeju council pushed forward with the enactment of the ordinance designating Ieodo Day in 2007 and 2008, but failed due to the opposition from the foreign ministry which did not want to see diplomatic disputes with China.