이 책은 외국인이 독도를 쉽게 종합적으로 이해할 수 있도록 도움을 줄 수 있는 영문 책자로서, 책의 내용은 크게 독도의 현황, 역사 속에 나타난 독도, 영토 문제에 관한 국제법으로 구성되어 있다. 외국인을 주된 독자로 상정하여 집필한 책이기 때문에 충분히 분석되고 검증된 역사적 사건과 사료를 간추려서 객관적으로 소개하고, 국제법 부문에서도 독도 영유권과 관련될 수 있는 국제법 원칙을 국제 판례에 나타난 법리를 중심으로 소개하였다. 기존의 독도 관련 영문서적들은 지나치게 전문적이거나, 한국의 영유권 주장을 전면에 내세워 강조하는 내용 위주였다고 한다며, 『Dokdo - Then and Now』 는 ‘독도를 쉽게 종합적으로 이해할 수 있도록’ 하는데 주안점을 두고 있어, 한국의 아름다운 섬, 독도를 국제사회에 차분하게 널리 알리는 좋은 길잡이 역할을 할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

Part I Overview of Dokdo Chapter 1: The Natural Environment of Dokdo 1. The Location of Dokdo 2. The Size of Dokdo 3. The Topographical and Geological Features of Dokdo 4. The Climate of Dokdo 5. Dokdo’s Ecosystems Chapter 2: The Social Environment and Administration of Dokdo 1. The Population of Dokdo 2. Visitors to Dokdo 3. The Government Authorities Responsible for the Conservation and Management of Dokdo 4. The Laws for the Conservation and Management of Dokdo 5.The Facilities on Dokdo Part II Dokdo in History Chapter 1: A Tale of Two Islands: Ulleungdo and Dokdo 1. The Historical Names Used for Ulleungdo and Dokdo in Korea 2. The Historical Names Used for Ulleungdo and Dokdo in Japan 3. The Names Used for Ulleungdo and Dokdo in the West Chapter 2: Korea’s Long-standing Sovereignty over Ulleungdo and Dokdo 1. The Kingdom of Silla Subjugates the State of Usan. 2. The Goryeo Dynasty Incorporates Ulleungdo and Dokdo into Its Local Administrative System. 3. The Joseon Dynasty Exercises Sovereignty over Ulleungdo and Dokdo. 4. The Empire of Korea Reinforces the Exercise of Its Sovereignty over Ulleungdo and Dokdo. Chapter 3: Japan’s Recognition of Korean Sovereignty over Ulleungdo and Dokdo 1. The First Official Japanese Document that Refers to Dokdo 2. The “Takeshima Affair” and the Ban on Passage to Takeshima of 1696 3. The Enforcement of the Ban on Passage to Takeshima 4. The Ban on Sailing to Takeshima and Distant Seas of 1837 5. The Confidential Inquiry into the Particulars of the Relations with the State of Joseon 6. The Dajokan Order of 1877 7. The Ban on Japanese Voyages to Ulleungdo of 1883 Chapter 4: Ulleungdo and Dokdo on Historical Maps 1. Ulleungdo and Dokdo on Korea’s Historical Maps 2. Ulleungdo and Dokdo on Japan’s Historical Maps Part III The Illegal Incorporation of Dokdo into Japanese Territory Chapter 1: The Historical Background of the Illegal Incorporation of Dokdo into Japan 1. Korea Falls Prey to Imperialist Powers 2. Japan’s Expansionary Policy and Aggression against Korea Chapter 2: The Process of the Illegal Incorporation of Dokdo into Japan 1. A Businessman’s Petition for the Territorial Incorporation of Dokdo 2. The Japanese Government’s Steps to Incorporate Dokdo into Japan Chapter 3: Korea’s Response to the Incorporation of Dokdo into Japan 1. Japan’s Accelerated Process of Aggression against Korea 2. The Response of the Empire of Korea to the Incorporation of Dokdo into Japan Chapter 4: Japan’s Forcible Occupation of the Entire Korea and the Liberation of Korea Part IV The ROK’s Resumption of the Exercise of Sovereignty over Dokdo Chapter 1: The Allied Powers’ Wartime Agreements and Postwar Control over Japan 1. The Allied Powers’ Wartime Agreements 2. The Allied Powers’ Postwar Control over Japan Chapter 2: Korea’s Resumption of the Exercise of Its Sovereignty over Dokdo 1. The Establishment of the Republic of Korea 2. The Administration of Dokdo after Korea’s Liberation Chapter 3: The Normalization of Korea-Japan Relations and the Dokdo Issue Thereafter Part V Dokdo and International Law Chapter 1: Historic Title 1. International Law Concerning Historic Titles 2. Korea’s Historic Title to Dokdo Chapter 2: Japan’s Illegal Incorporation of Dokdo into Japan in 1905 1. The Concept and International Practice of Occupation of Terra Nullius 2. Japan’s Unlawful Measures to Incorporate Dokdo into Its Territory 3. The Absurdity of Japan’s Claim that the Cabinet Decision of 1905 Was a Measure to Reaffirm Japan’s Existing Sovereignty 4. Japan’s Self-contradictory Theories Chapter 3: The Interpretation of the Treaty of Peace with Japan 1. The Rules of International Law Governing the Interpretation of Treaties 2. The Question of Interpreting Article 2(a) of the Treaty of Peace with Japan Chapter 4: Evidentiary Value of Historical Maps 1. International Jurisprudence Concerning Evaluation of the Evidentiary Value of Maps 2. The Territorial Perceptions Represented on the Historical Maps of Korean and Japanese Origins Epilogue Dokdo Timeline List of Historical Documents List of Historical Maps