Although Dokdo, the chain of disputed islets in the East Sea, is well-known amongst Koreans, it hasn’t gained much attention among overseas nations ― until now.
A Cambodian newspaper reported on June 17 that an anonymous Cambodian had purchased advertising space to run a pro-Korean statement regarding Dokdo, which is called Takeshima by the Japanese.
“The one who paid for the ad is a native Cambodian,” said a reporter for N-sombok. “He made a contract for a month-long ad and paid $3,960 for the space.” The average Cambodian’s monthly salary is $70, according to the paper.
The ad shows the island with “Dokdo is not Japan’s Sovereignty, it is Korea’s Island” written out in English.
Although there have been many queries regarding the ad, the newspaper revealed that the anonymous Cambodian had refused all interviews.
The Dokdo controversy is drawing additional attention for its parallels a similar situation in Cambodia. The Southeast Asian nation is in the middle of a tense border dispute with neighboring Thailand over the Preah Vihear province, regarded as a sacred sanctuary by both sides.