Singer Yoon Jong-shin has said that he will write a “Dokdo Song” that anyone can sing along to easily.

The Dokdo islets are the easternmost group of Korean islets, which Japan also claims, stirring sovereignty disputes.

Yoon decided to compose the song at the suggestion of Sungshin Women’s University professor Seo Kyoung-duk, who frequently promotes Korea overseas. 

They met each other through the “Dokdo School,” which is to open at the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, Thursday. Seo has been appointed the first headmaster and Yoon the first goodwill ambassador.

“I proposed goodwill envoy Yoon make a trendy song about Dokdo that people of all ages and both sexes can enjoy. He readily accepted the offer,” Seo told reporters. “We are going to write the lyrics together.”

“Dokdo is our territory, and there is no question about it. So I will highlight the cultural side of the islets rather than claim that the islets are within our domain. I will try to make a light and cheerful pop song,” Yoon said.

“I will also shoot a music video of scenic Dokdo attractions and prepare a chorus involving many singers.”

Seo plans to post the song and the music video on YouTube to help promote Dokdo worldwide.

Seo and Yoon will write the song by April and then film the music video in May. They plan to release the single and the video to the public in June.

Dokdo School will teach of the nature and history of the islands, while inviting outside experts and celebrities to give lectures.

Anyone, Korean or foreign, in Korea is qualified to apply for the school.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)