Dokdo from above

LG IBM, a joint venture of IBM and LG Electronics announced Monday that it would start a "I Love Dokdo" campaign. "Customers who buy LG IBM’s notebook computers through March 28 will be given a chance to visit Dokdo Islet between April and May period," said Lee Gang-jin, a marketing personnel with the company. "In particular, we plan to invite experts on issues between Japan and Korea onto the boat to Dokdo and have them and the passengers debate." Lee added.

Internet portal service provider Korea.com also announced last month that it has set up a Dokdo related homepage (dokdo.korea.com) and distributed a free e-mail account to online visitors. A company official said one can participate in the patriotic move by registering their online address on Dokdo Islet in cyber space, even though they cannot live on the islet.

Game providers also jumped on the bandwagon, with NKmall, which specializes in internet trade between the two Koreas, providing online game service named “Protect Dokdo” starting Monday through LG Telecom. "Navy Field," a strategy simulation game is also providing a game scenario in which the Korean army defends Dokdo Islet against the Japanese Navy.

The nation’s largest fixed line provider KT Corp. recently announced that it would provide free broadband Internet access to a Coast Guard contingent stationed on Dokdo Islet starting from late April. The services will be available through the country's communication satellite, Koreasat-3. Taijin Media, a provider of karaoke equipment, recently added to its song list a Japanese version of the Korean song "Dokdo is Korean Land." A company official said, “since the Dokdo dispute has flared up, three to four times as many people are choosing the song,” and, "[This move] is to allow Japanese people, too, to understand the lyrics and know that Dokdo is clearly our territory."

(Hwang Dae-jin, djhwang@chosun.com )