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{{Short description|Group of disputed islets in the Sea of Japan}}
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{{For|the naming and territorial dispute surrounding these rocks|Liancourt Rocks dispute}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox islands
| disputed = yes
| name = Liancourt Rocks
| plural = yes
| other_names = Liancourt Islets, Liancourt Islands, Takeshima, Dokdo, Tok Islets, Hornet Islands, Kajido, Sambongdo
| image_name = Location-of-Liancourt-rocks-en.png
| image_size = 300px
| image_caption =
| image_map = Liancourt Rocks Map.svg
| location = ]
| coordinates = {{Coord|37|14|30|N|131|52|0|E|display=inline}}
| total_islands = 91 (37 permanent land)
| major_islands = East Islet, West Islet
| area_ha = 18.745
| area_footnotes = <br />'''East Islet:''' {{convert|7.33|ha|acre}}<br />'''West Islet:''' {{convert|8.864|ha|acre}}
| elevation_m = 169
| highest_mount = West Islet
| country = {{flag|South Korea}}
| country_admin_divisions_title = County
| country_admin_divisions = ], ]
| country1 = {{flag|Japan}}
| country1_admin_divisions_title = Town
| country1_admin_divisions = ], ] (Japan)
| country2 = {{flag|North Korea}}
| country2_admin_divisions_title = County
| country2_admin_divisions = ], ]
| population = Approximately 26<ref name="residents">{{cite web | url=https://dokdo.mofa.go.kr/eng/introduce/residence.jsp| title=Dokdo Residents| access-date=February 17, 2021| publisher=Gyeongsangbuk-do Province}}</ref>
| image_map_caption = The two main islets
}}


The '''Liancourt Rocks''',<ref>{{harvnb|Fern|2005|p=78}}: "Since the end of World War II, Japan and Korea have contested ownership of these islets, given the name Liancourt Rocks by French whalers in the mid-1800s and called that by neutral observers to this day".</ref> also known by their Korean name of '''Dokdo''' ({{Langx|ko|독도}}){{efn|{{korean|hangul=독도|hanja=獨島}}; {{IPA|ko|tok̚t͈o|IPA}}; {{lit|solitary island' or 'lonely island}}.}} or their Japanese name of '''Takeshima''',({{Langx|ja|竹島}}){{efn|{{japanese|kanjil=竹島}}; {{IPA|ja|takeɕima|IPA}}; {{lit|bamboo island}}.{{sfn|BBC staff|2006}}}} are a group of ]s in the ] between the ] and the ] administered by South Korea. The Liancourt Rocks comprise two main islets and 35 smaller rocks; the total surface area of the islets is {{convert|0.187554|km2|acre}} and the highest elevation of {{convert|168.5|m|ft}} is <!-- found at an unnamed location --> on the West Islet.{{sfn|Gyeongsangbuk-do Province|2017b}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023}} The Liancourt Rocks lie in rich ] that may contain large deposits of ].{{sfn|BBC staff|2008}} The English name ''Liancourt Rocks'' is derived from {{Lang|fr|Le Liancourt}},{{efn|Pronounced {{IPA|fr|lə ljɑ̃kuʁ|}}; named in honor of ], Duke of ] and ].}} the name of a French ] ship that came close to being wrecked on the rocks in 1849.{{sfn|Kirk|2008}}
{{redirect|Takeshima}}
{{otheruses4|a group of islets|the former currency of Kutch|Kutch kori}}
{| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=225 style="margin: 0.5em 0 1em 1em; background: #ffffff; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|+<big><big>'''Dokdo'''</big></big>
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | ]
|-
! colspan=2 | ] name
|-
| width=148 | ]
| width=148 | {{lang|ko|독도}}
|-
| width=148 | ]
| width=148 | {{lang|ko|獨島}}
|-
| width=148 | ]
| width=148 | Dokdo
|-
| width=148 | ]
| width=148 | Tokto
|-
! colspan=2 | ] name
|-
| width=148 | ]
| width=148 | Takeshima
|-
| width=148 | ]
| width=148 | {{lang|ja|竹島}}
|-
! colspan=2 | ] name
|-
| width=148 | English
| width=148 | Liancourt Rocks
|}
'''Dokdo''' is a group of ] ]s in the ] (East Sea) currently administered by ], but also claimed by ] (where they are known as '''Takeshima'''). The islets are also known as the '''Liancourt Rocks''' after the French whaling ship Liancourt which charted the islets in 1849. The ] of ] refers to them as '''Tok Islet''' in its English-language articles and supports control of the islands by "the Korean nation".<ref></ref>


While South Korea controls the islets, its sovereignty over them is ] by Japan. North Korea also claims the territory. South Korea classifies the islets as Dokdo-], Ulleung-], ], ],<ref>{{cite web|trans-title=Act 1395 amending Chapter 14-2, Ri-Administration under Ulleung County, Local Autonomy Law, Ulleung County |language=ko-kr |script-title=ko:울릉군리의명칭과구역에관한조례 |url=http://www.elis.go.kr/newlaib/laibLaws/h1126/laws.jsp?lawsNum=47940113226001&scType=title&scValue=%BF%EF%B8%AA%B1%BA%20%B8%AE%C0%C7%20%B8%ED%C4%AA%B0%FA%20%B1%B8%BF%AA%BF%A1%20%B0%FC%C7%D1%20%C1%B6%B7%CA&isClose=0&kind=1 }} "{{lang|ko-Hang|2000년 4월 7일 울릉군조례 제1395호로 독도리가 신설됨에 따라 독도의 행정구역이 종전의 경상북도 울릉군 울릉읍 도동리 산42～76번지에서 경상북도 울릉군 울릉읍 독도리 산1～37번지로 변경 됨}}." <br />Translation: "Pursuant to Act 1395 amending Chapter 14-2, Ri-Administration under Ulleung County, Local Autonomy Law, Ulleung County, passed March 20, 2000, enacted April 7, 2000, the administrative designation of Dokdo addresses as 42 to 76, Dodong-ri, Ulleung-eup, Ulleung County, North Gyungsang Province, is changed to address 1 to 37, Dokdo-ri, Ulleung-eup, Ulleung County, North Gyungsang Province." {{cite web|url=http://www.dokdomuseum.go.kr/board/history/list.php |language=ko-kr |script-title=ko:조회 |access-date=12 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301043336/http://www.dokdomuseum.go.kr/board/history/list.php |archive-date= 1 March 2009 |df=dmy }}</ref> while Japan classifies the islands as part of ], ], ].
South Korea claims it as Korean territory from records that date back to the sixth century during the ] period and on the 1900 ] ordinance officially incorporating it into modern Ulleung County. Japanese claims come from seventeenth century records, as well as a "]" incorporation in 1905. Today, South Korea classifies the islets as a part of ], ] Province, while Japan classifies them as part of ], ], ].


== Geography == ==Geography==
{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| image1 = Dokdo-West-Isle.JPG
| alt1 = A steep, rocky island surrounded by dark blue sea
| image2 = Dokdo-East-Isle.JPG
| alt2 = A round rocky island, with an empty port. Seagulls block some of the frame.
| caption2 = The West island ''(top)'' and the East island ''(bottom)''
}}The Liancourt Rocks consist of two main islets and numerous surrounding rocks. The two main islets, called ''Seodo'' ({{korean|labels=no|hangul=서도|hanja=西島|lit=western island}}) and ''Dongdo'' ({{korean|labels=no|hangul=동도|hanja=東島|lit=eastern island}}) in Korean and ''Ojima'' (男島; "Male Island") and ''Mejima'' (女島; "Female Island") in Japanese, are {{convert|151|m|ft}} apart.{{sfn|Gyeongsangbuk-do Province|2017b}} The Western Island is the larger of the two, with a wider base and higher peak, while the Eastern Island offers more usable surface area.


Altogether, there are about 90 islets and reefs,{{sfn|Gyeongsangbuk-do Province|2017b}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023}} ]s formed in the ] era, more specifically 4.6 to 2.5 million years ago. A total of 37 of these islets are recognized as permanent land.{{Verify source|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox Islands
|name = Dokdo/Takeshima/Liancourt Rocks
|image name = Location-of-Liancourt-rocks-en.png
|image caption =
|locator map =
|native name = 독도/竹島
|native name link =
|location = ]
|coordinates= {{coor dms|37|14|30|N|131|52||E|type:isle}} {{coor title dms|37|14|30|N|131|52||E|type:isle}}
|archipelago =
|total islands = 37
|major islands = 2
|area = 187,450 sq meters
|highest mount = 169 meters
|elevation =
|country = South Korea
|country admin divisions title = Province
|country admin divisions = ] (])
|country largest city =
|country largest city population =


The total area of the islets is about {{convert|187,554|m2|acre}}, with their highest point at {{convert|168.5|m|ft}} on the West Islet.{{sfn|Gyeongsangbuk-do Province|2017b}} The western islet is about {{convert|88,740|m2|acre}}; the eastern islet is about {{convert|73,300|m2|acre}}.{{sfn|Gyeongsangbuk-do Province|2017b}} The western islet consists of a single peak and features many caves along the coastline. The cliffs of the eastern islet are about {{convert|10|to|20|m|ft}} high. There are two large caves giving access to the sea, as well as a crater.{{Verify source|date=May 2015}}
|population =
|population as of =
|density =
|ethnic groups =
}}
Dokdo is composed mainly of two islets, 150 meters apart<ref name="net">Korea.net (1999–2006). . Retrieved ], 2006.</ref> (''Seodo'' and ''Dongdo''　in Korean, ''Nishi-jima'' and ''Higashi-jima'' in Japanese; both literally meaning ''western island''　西島　and 　''eastern island''　東島, respectively). The western islet is the larger of the two islets. Altogether, there are about 90 islets and reefs,<ref name="cyb">Gyongsangbuk-do (2001). . Retrieved ], 2006.</ref> ]s formed in the ] era.<ref name="tru">Truth of Dokdo. . Retrieved ], 2006.</ref> A total of 37 of these islets are recognized as permanent land.<ref name="cyb" /> In 2006, a Korean geologist reported that both of these islets, especially, the eastern islet formed 4.5 million years ago and ] formed 2 million years later are quickly eroding and weathering, and expected to sink in the sea before ].<ref>, ], 2006/12/01. , ], 2006/12/01.</ref>


In 2006, a geologist reported that the islets formed 4.5 million years ago and are (in a ]) quickly eroding.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=001&aid=0001483400 |language=ko-kr |script-title=ko:"독도ㆍ울릉도 `침몰하고 있다'"<손영관교수> |newspaper=] |date=1 December 2006 |access-date=1 January 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122194337/http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=001&aid=0001483400 |archive-date= Jan 22, 2016 }}</ref>
The total area of the islets is about 187,450 square meters, with their highest point at 169&nbsp;meters in the western islet. The western islet is about 88,640 square meters in area; the eastern islet about 73,300 square meters.<ref name="cyb" /> Dokdo is located at about 131°52′ East longitude and about 37°14′ North latitude.<ref name="cyb" /> The western islet is located at {{coor dms|37|14|31|N|131|51|55|E}} and the eastern islet is located at {{coor dms|37|14|27|N|131|52|10|E}}. The islets are 217&nbsp;km from mainland Korea and 250 km from mainland Japan.<ref name="net" /> The nearest Korean territory (]) is 87&nbsp;km away and can be visible on fair days;<ref>DKB News. . Retrieved ], 2006.</ref><ref name="net" /> the nearest Japanese territory (]) is 157&nbsp;km away.<ref name="cyb" />


== Tourism ==
The western islet consists of a single peak and features many caves along the coastline. The cliffs of the eastern islet are about 10 to 20 meters high. There are two caves giving access to the sea, as well as a crater.<ref name="tru" />


Restricted public access to the rocks for a variety of purposes is provided by ferry from ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=독도 : 독도입도안내 페이지 입니다.아름다운 신비의 섬 - 울릉군 |url=http://www.ulleung.go.kr/ko/page.htm?mnu_uid=1649 |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=www.ulleung.go.kr |archive-date=13 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013171217/http://www.ulleung.go.kr/ko/page.htm?mnu_uid=1649 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2022, 280,312 tourists visited the islands, averaging 500 visitors per day.<ref name="residents" />
==Economy==
Over 900 Korean citizens list the islets as their residence, while over 2,000 Japanese do the same. However, only two people, a married Korean couple, are actual permanent residents.<ref>See .</ref>


==Distances==
Korean telecom service providers (namely SK Telecom, KTF, and LG Telecom) have also installed stations on Dokdo to cover the islets in the South Korean wireless telephone network. There is also regular ferry service from ].<ref>See .</ref>
The Liancourt Rocks are located at about {{Coord|37|14||N|131|52||E}}.{{sfn|Gyeongsangbuk-do Province|2017c}} The western islet is located at {{Coord|37|14|31|N|131|51|55|E |name=West Islet}} and the Eastern Islet is located at {{Coord|37|14|27|N|131|52|10|E |name=East Islet}}.


The Liancourt Rocks are situated at a distance of {{convert|211|km|nmi}} from the main island of Japan (]) and {{convert|216.8|km|nmi}} from mainland South Korea. The nearest Japanese island, ], is at a distance of {{convert|157|km|nmi}},<ref name="mofa index" /> and the nearest Korean island, ], is {{convert|87.4|km|nmi}}.{{sfn|BAEK In-ki|SHIM Mun-bo|Korea Maritime Institute|2006|pp=20–22}}<ref name="mofa index">{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/takeshima/index.html|title=The Issue of Takeshima|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan|access-date=26 October 2012}}</ref>
Although the islets themselves are barely habitable, the ] surrounding them has rich ] grounds and possible reserves of ].<ref>Truth of Dokdo. . Retrieved ], 2006.</ref> As of 2006, the expected reserves have not been found.<ref name="cyb" /> A wide variety of fish as well as ], kelp, sea slugs, and clams are located around Dokdo.<ref name="tru" /> Major fishery catches in the area are ], Alaskan ], ], and ].<ref name="tru" /><ref name="cyb" /> There are 102 species of seaweed, although many of these have no economic value.<ref name="cyb" />

This area used to be one of the largest breeding grounds of ]s ('']'') and a good spot for hunting them and also a spot for obtaining ] at the end of the ] (1868-1912).<ref>, Shimane Prefectural Government, Japan</ref> Until the 1950s, sea lions were observed on Dokdo by the voluntary Dokdo guards.<ref>(ko) "50년대 독도의용수비대가 활약할 당시만 해도 20∼30마리씩 떼를 지어 독도 연안에서 서식하는장면이 목격됐다. 독도의용수비대원이던 이규현씨(82·울릉군 울릉읍 도동리)는 "당시 독도에서 강치(바다사자) 무리를 간간이 볼 수 있었고, 울릉도 주민들은 이를 가재, 강치로 부르기도 했다"고 말했다." , The Kukmin Daily, 2006.02.02</ref>

There are approximately 37 South Korean police that guard the islets, also there are Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Fisheries personnel, a married Korean couple (whose occupation is fishing), and three ] keepers living on the islets. In the past, several fishermen also lived there.<ref name="vis">Korea.net (1999–2006). . Retrieved ], 2006.</ref>

==Tourism==
Due to their status as a nature reserve, special permits are required for tourists seeking to land on the islets rather than just circling them.<ref name="vis" /> There were 1,507 and 1,597 recorded tourists in 2003 and 2004 respectively.<ref name="vis" /> Visitors generally come by boat from Ulleung-do.<ref name="cyb" /><ref name="vis" />

In 2005, the first ] ceremony was held on Dokdo. The South Korean couple chose the location to protest against Japanese territorial claims.<ref>Tour 2 Korea . Retrieved ], 2006.</ref>


==Climate== ==Climate==
]
Due to its location and extremely small size, Dokdo sometimes has harsh weather. At times, ships are unable to dock because of strong northwestern winds in winter.<ref name="net" /><ref name="tru" /> The climate is warm and humid, and heavily influenced by warm sea currents. Precipitation is high throughout the year (annual average - 1324 mm), with occasional snowfall.<ref name="tru" /> Fog is a common sight. In the summer, southernly winds dominate.<ref name="tru" /> The water around the islets is about 10 degrees Celsius in spring, when the water is coolest. It warms to about 25 degrees Celsius in August.<ref name="tru" />
Owing to their location and small size, the Liancourt Rocks can have harsh weather. If the ] is greater than 3 to 5 metres, then landing is not possible, so on average ferries can only dock about once in forty days.{{sfn|Gyeo ngbuk Province|2001b}} Overall, the climate is warm and humid, and heavily influenced by warm sea currents. Precipitation is high throughout the year (annual average—{{convert|1383.4|mm|in|disp=or}}), with occasional snowfall.{{sfn|Gyeongsangbuk-do Province|2017a}} Fog is common. In summer, southerly winds dominate. The water around the islets is about {{convert|10|C|F}} in early spring, when the water is coldest, warming to about {{convert|24|C|F}} in late summer.


==Ecology== ==Ecology==
]s at Liancourt Rocks during a Japanese ] in 1934]]
Like Ulleung-do, the islets are ]s, with only a thin layer of soil and moss.<ref name="cyb" /> About 80 species of plants, over 22 species of birds, and 37 species of insects have been recorded on the islets, in addition to the local maritime life.<ref name="net" />
The islets are volcanic rocks, with only a thin layer of soil and moss.{{sfn|Gyeo ngbuk Province|2001a}} About 49 plant species, 107 bird species, and 93 insect species have been found to inhabit the islets, in addition to local marine life with 160 algal and 368 invertebrate species identified.<ref>{{cite web|language=ko |script-title=ko:독도 자연생태계 정밀조사결과(요약)|trans-title=A comprehensive survey of the natural ecosystems of Liancourt Rocks (synopsys)|url=http://epic.kdi.re.kr/epic/epic_view.jsp?num=81035&menu=1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722141608/http://epic.kdi.re.kr/epic/epic_view.jsp?num=81035&menu=1|archive-date=22 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Although between 1,100 and 1,200 litres of fresh water flow daily, desalinization plants have been installed on the islets for human consumption because existing spring water suffers from ] contamination.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}} Since the early 1970s trees and some types of flowers were planted.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}} According to historical records, there used to be trees indigenous to Liancourt Rocks, which have supposedly been wiped out by ] and fires caused by bombing drills over the islets.{{efn|"There are records attesting to the existence of trees in the past" {{harv|BAEK In-ki|SHIM Mun-bo|Korea Maritime Institute|2006|p=48}} }} A recent investigation, however, identified ten ] aged 100–120 years.<ref>{{cite web |language=ko |trans-title=Indigenous Spindle Tree Colony Found on Liancourt Rocks |script-title=ko:독도 자생 사철나무 군락 첫 발견 |url=http://www.korean.net/blog/main/index.jsp?blID=leehayo&ccID=260&SN=22}} {{Dead link|date = August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language=ko |script-title=ko:독도 자생 사철나무 100년 이상 된 자생식물
|trans-title=Liancourt Rock Spindle Trees Over 100 Years Old |url=http://www.dokdocenter.org/dokdo_news/index.cgi?action=detail&number=7489&thread=19r02}}</ref> ]s such as ]s, ]s, and ]s are known to migrate through these areas.<ref>{{Cite journal|year=2007 |language=ko |script-title=ko:독도수비 해경, 그물걸린 범고래 구조 - 멸종위기 해양생물 보호 적극적인 조치 기대 |url=http://www.enviroasia.info/K/?p=1259 |journal=K07011002K |page=ENVIROASIA |access-date=10 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119103856/http://www.enviroasia.info/K/?p=1259 |archive-date=19 January 2015 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|translator=Koike T.|year=2007 |language=ja |script-title=ja:独島警備の海洋警察、網にかかったシャチ救出 |url=http://www.enviroasia.info/J/?p=6168 |journal=K07011002J |page=ENVIROASIA |access-date=10 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714121130/http://www.enviroasia.info/J/?p=6168 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2017 |url=http://www.netongs.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=103971 |script-title=ko:"동해 고래, 한미관계 뿐 아니라 독도 역사와도 연결" |access-date=August 21, 2017}}</ref>


===Pollution and environmental destruction===
Since the early 1970s, trees and some types of flowers were planted along with the indigenous flora and fauna.<ref name="net" /> (Trees are required under international law for the islets to be recognized as natural islands rather than reefs.<ref name="vis" /><ref name="tru" />)
Records of the human impact on the Liancourt Rocks before the late 20th century are scarce, although both Japanese and Koreans claim to have felled trees and killed ]s there for many decades.<ref>국민일보 (Gookmin Daily). "독도‘실효적 지배’새 근거 (New Evidence of effective control), 1890년 이전부터 독도서 강치잡이 (Sea lion hunting before 1890) </ref><ref>Japan: </ref>


There are serious pollution concerns in the seas surrounding the Liancourt Rocks. In 2004, a malfunction in the sewage water treatment system established on the islets caused sewage produced by inhabitants of the Liancourt Rocks, such as ] and lighthouse staff, to be dumped directly into the ocean. Significant water pollution was observed; sea water turned milky white, sea vegetation died, and coral reefs were calcified. The pollution also caused ] in the surrounding seas. In November 2004, eight tons of malodorous ] was being dumped into the ocean every day.<ref name=" imaeil">{{cite web |work=Imaeil |date=28 September 2007 |language=ko |script-title=ko:독도 오수정화시설이 동해바다 오염 주범? |url=http://www.imaeil.com/sub_news/sub_news_view.php?news_id=42521&yy=2007 |access-date=15 April 2009 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402110419/http://www.imaeil.com/sub_news/sub_news_view.php?news_id=42521&yy=2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Efforts have since been made by both public<ref>{{cite web|language=ko |trans-title=Three-Month Cleanup for Dokdo's Marine Garbage Starts from June 2 |script-title=ko:독도 바다쓰레기 청소 6월2일부터 석달간 |url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=003&aid=0002703591}}</ref> and private<ref>{{cite web |language=ko |script-title=ko:나무 심고 오물 줍고…아름다운 ‘독도 사랑’ |url=http://www.imaeil.com/sub_news/sub_news_view.php?news_id=27210&yy=2010 |date=5 July 2010 |access-date=28 September 2010 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402121815/http://www.imaeil.com/sub_news/sub_news_view.php?news_id=27210&yy=2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> organizations to reduce the level of pollution surrounding the Rocks.
Dokdo was declared "Natural Monument #336" by South Korea in the 1990s. While home to some birds, the islets mostly provide temporary refuge for birds migrating elsewhere. They serve as a home to fork-tailed petrel, streaked shearwater, and ]s. The population of breeding birds counted on the rocks, however, has been declining in recent years.<ref name="tru" />


==Construction==
In 1999, the islets were designated a special environmental protected area by the South Korean government.<ref name="net" /> They predate any other Korean volcanic islands, including Ulleung-do.<ref name="tru" />
South Korea has carried out construction work on the Liancourt Rocks; by 2009, the islands had a lighthouse, helicopter pad,<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823031639/http://vn.vladnews.ru/issue592/Special_reports/Dokdo_Islands_land_of_contention |date=23 August 2009 }}</ref> and a police barracks.{{sfn|Choe|2008}} In 2007, two ]s were built capable of producing 28 tons of clean water every day.{{sfn|KOIS staff|2007a}} Both of the major South Korean telecommunications companies have installed cellular telephone towers on the islets.{{sfn|KOIS staff|2007}}


==History==
It was announced in 2005 that three new genera and five new species of bacteria had been identified by ROK scientists in the waters off Dokdo. The genera are ''Dokdonella koreensis'', ''Dokdonia donghaenensis'', and ''Donghae dokdoensis''. The newly identified species are ''Virgilbacillus dokdoensis'', ''Maribacter dokdoensis'', ''Marimonas dokdoensis'', ''Polaribacter dokdoensis'', and ''Porphyrobacter dokdoensis''.
])]]


===Whaling===
==Strategic location==
U.S. and ] ]s cruised for ]s off the rocks between 1849 and 1892.<ref>''Cambria'', of New Bedford, Apr. 29, 1849, Nicholson Whaling Collection; ''Cape Horn Pigeon'', of New Bedford, Apr. 19, 1892, Kendall Whaling Museum.</ref>
The islets are of importance not only for ] reasons, but also for ] reasons. They have occasionally served as a ], most notably during the ]. The South Korean government has built a radar station and helicopter landing pad on the islets, enabling it to track foreign naval forces. The 37 police on the islets serve as armed guards.<ref name="cyb" />


===Demographics and economy===
==History of the dispute==
]
Korea and Japan have a long, complex history of cultural exchange, war, and political rivalry (''see'': ]). The islets are the last disputed territory between Korea and Japan following ].
In February 2017, there were two civilian residents, two government officials, six lighthouse managers, and 40 members of the coast guard living on the islets.<ref name="residents"/> Since the South Korean coast guard was sent to the islets, civilian travel has been subject to South Korean government approval; they have stated that the reason for this is that the islet group is designated as a nature reserve.<ref>On 13 December 1997 the "Special Act on the Preservation of Ecosystem in Island Areas Including Dokdo Island" was enacted by the South Korean parliament. The title of the Natural Monument No. 336, the Dokdo Seaweed Habitat, was changed to the Dokdo National Nature Reserve in December 1999. {{Cite web|title=Dokdo in History: Chronology |publisher=The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea |url=https://korea.assembly.go.kr:447/dokdo/history_02.jsp }}</ref>


In March 1965, Choi Jong-duk moved from the nearby ] to the islets to make a living from octopus fishing. He also helped install facilities from May 1968. In 1981, Choi Jong-duk changed his administrative address to the Liancourt Rocks, making himself the first person to officially live there. He died there in September 1987. His son-in-law, Cho Jun-ki, and his wife also resided there from 1985 until they moved out in 1992. Meanwhile, in 1991, Kim Sung-do and Kim Shin-yeol transferred to the islets as permanent residents, still continuing to live there. In October 2018, Kim Sung-do died, thus Kim Shin-yeol is the last civilian resident still living on the islands.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hong |first=Euny |title=The birth of Korean cool: how one nation is conquering the world through pop culture |date=2014 |publisher=Picador |isbn=978-1-250-04511-9 |edition=1st |location=New York}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|author=Lee Tae-hee |title=Widow to remain sole Dokdo resident, authorities confirm |date=13 February 2019 |newspaper=] |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20190213000563 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/14/asia/south-korea-japan-disputed-islands-one-resident-intl/index.html |last1=McKirdy |first1=Euan |last2=Jeong |first2=Sophie |title=Widow, 81, sole resident of remote island disputed by South Korea and Japan |publisher=CNN |date=15 February 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.koreaworldtimes.com/topics/news/9882/|script-title=ja:竹島人口は7万人 4年で倍増 日本人17人も住民登録している！？|newspaper=KoreaWorldTimes |date=2021-08-16|language=ja|access-date=2021-10-06}}</ref>
South Korea bases its claim on records that date back to the sixth century, including the 1900 ] ordinance that officially incorporated Dokdo into the modern-day ] of the ].<ref name="hankooki">{{cite web| url = http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/opinion/200211/kt2002112117282711350.htm| title = Japan's Preposterous Claims on Tok-do| accessdate = 2007-01-21| accessmonthday = | accessyear = | author = Kim Byong-kuk| last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = 2002-11-21| year = | month = | format = | work = | publisher = Korea Times| pages = | language = English| archiveurl = | archivedate = | quote = Historical verification goes back to the ``Samkuk Saki" (History of The Kingdoms: Koguryo, Paekche and Silla) authored by Kim Pu-sik which recorded that Silla Kingdom during the reign of King Chi-chung annexed in 512 A.D. the Usankuk (three peak islands of Ullung-do and Tok-do) in the East Sea.
}}</ref>


The South Korean government gave its approval to allow 1,597 visitors to visit the islets in 2004. Since March 2005, more tourists have received approval to visit. The South Korean government lets up to 70 tourists land at any given time; one ferry provides rides to the islets every day.{{sfn|Ha|2008}} Tour companies charge around 350,000 ] per person (about US$310 {{As of|2019|lc=on}}).<ref name="vis">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dokdo.go.kr/eng/html/introduction/living.jsp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130111204054/http://www.dokdo.go.kr/eng/html/introduction/living.jsp |archive-date=11 January 2013 |url-status=dead |title=Life in Dokdo |publisher=Cyber Dokdo of Korea }}</ref>
North Korea publicly supports the control of the island by "the Korean nation".The ] of ] refers to Dokdo as "Tok Islet" in English, and publicly supports the control of the island by "the ]n nation".<ref></ref> <ref name="kcna"/>


===Sovereignty dispute===
Japanese protests Korea's claim and administration of Dokdo.<ref name="Jon M. Van Dyke">{{cite web| url = http://www.dokdo-takeshima.com/dokdo1-cms1530.pdf| title = Who Owns Tok-Do/Takeshima? Should These Islets Affect the Maritime Boundary Between Japan and Korea?| accessdate = 2007-01-23| accessmonthday = | accessyear = | author = Jon M. Van Dyke| last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = 2007-01-18| year = | month = | format = | work = | publisher =| pages = | language = English | archiveurl = | archivedate = | quote = Japan's protests appear to have been sufficient to overcome a presumption of acquiescence, and thus if Korea's claim were based solely on its occupation of the islets since World War II, these protests could be seen as adequate to block a claim based on prescription.}}</ref> <ref name="CIA">{{cite web| url = https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ks.html| title = The world Fact Book | accessdate = 2007-01-23| accessmonthday = | accessyear = | author = CIA| last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = 2007-01-18| year = | month = | format = | work = | publisher = CIA| pages = | language = English| archiveurl = | archivedate = | quote = South Korea and Japan claim Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima), occupied by South Korea since 1954.}}</ref> Japan bases its claim on historical records from the seventeenth century and the 1905 ] incorporation. Japan designates the islets as a part of ] of the ] in ]. <ref name="shimane">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = About Takeshima | work = | publisher = Shimane Prefectural Government | date = | url = http://www.pref.shimane.lg.jp/soumu/takesima_eng/take2.html | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2007-01-27 }}</ref>
{{Main|Liancourt Rocks dispute}}


Sovereignty over the islands has been an ongoing point of contention in ]. There are conflicting interpretations about the historical state of sovereignty over the islets.
=== The Three Kingdoms period ===
In 1145, ] (''Chronicles of Three Kingdoms'') recorded that the state of Usan (]), an island kingdom located on ] and asserted to have encompassed several surrounding islets, was conquered and "re-integrated" into the Korean kingdom of ] in 512. Samguk Sagi mentions that another name of Usan-state is Ulleung-do.<ref>{{ko icon}} "十三年夏六月,于山國帰服,歳以士宜為貢于山國,在溟州正東海島,或名欝陵島,地方一百里,恃嶮不服,伊異斯夫,為何瑟羅州軍主,謂于山人愚悍難以威来,可以計服,乃多造木偶師子,分載戦船,抵其国海岸誑告白,汝若不服,則放此猛獣,踏殺之,國人恐懼則降." The character "do" (島) refers to island, whereas "guk" (國) refers to state/nation. See . 三国史記-卷四·新羅本紀·智証麻立干 智証王13年(512年)夏6月条.</ref>


South Korean claims are partly based on references to an island called ] ({{Korean|hangul=우산도|hanja=于山島; 亐山島|labels=no}}) in various medieval historical records, maps, and encyclopedia such as '']'', '']'', ''Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam'', and ''Dongguk munhon bigo''. According to the South Korean view, these refer to today's Liancourt Rocks.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} Japanese researchers of these documents have claimed the various references to Usan-do refer at different times to ], its neighboring island ], or a non-existent island between Ulleungdo and Korea.{{efn|"Such description ... rather reminds us of Utsuryo Island" (para. 2); "A study ... criticizes ... that Usan Island and Utsuryo Island are two names for one island." (para. 3); and "that island does not exist at all in reality" (para. 4{{snd}} {{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/takeshima/pamphlet_e.pdf |title=10 Issues of Takeshima, MOFA (Article 2) |date=February 2008 |publisher=] (Japan) |page=4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913071653/http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/takeshima/pamphlet_e.pdf |archive-date=13 September 2008 }} }} The first printed usage of the name ''Dokdo'' was in a Japanese log book in 1904.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dokdo-takeshima.com/japans-takeshima-x-files-i.html |title="Logbooks of the Japanese Warship Niitaka September 25th 1904"<!--<軍艦新高行動日誌>--> |website=Dokdo Takeshima The Historical Facts of the Dispute|date=1 September 2008 }}</ref>
Korea argues that Dokdo was called Usan-do and was a part of Usan-guk, based on later Joseon dynasty records such as the ''Yeojiji'' and ''Man'gi yoram''. A number of historians in Japan reject the theory that Dokdo was a part of Usan-guk, disputing the Korean interpretation of the Samguk Sagi.


North Korea also regards the islands as Korean, and as it claims the entirety of ], North Korea claims the islands as its own and contests Japan's claim to the islands alongside South Korea.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Agency|first1=United States Central Intelligence|last2=Office|first2=Government Publications|title=The World Factbook 2016-17|date=2016|publisher=Government Printing Office|isbn=9780160933271|pages=406|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HfywxU2EnFwC&pg=PA406|language=en}}</ref>
===The Joseon and Edo Period===


<gallery widths="200px" heights="135px">
''Man'gi yoram'' ("Handbook of State Affairs") from 1808 quotes the earlier ''Yeojiji'' ("Gazette") that Ulleungdo and Usando all belonged to Usan'guk and Usando is what Japanese
File:South Korean "Tokto" postage stamps, c. 1954.png|South Korean stamps depicting the Liancourt Rocks from 1954
call Matsushima, i.e., present Dokdo. <ref> See the English translation at the bottom of this link .</ref>
File:Dokdo-Police boat.jpg|A South Korean police boat approaches the dock on the Liancourt Rocks' East Islet.
</gallery>


=== Natural Monument of South Korea ===
Taejong-sillok (Annals for ]) recorded that 60 people were living on Yusan-guk-do (Yusan-state-island) and in 1412, and 86 people living on Usan-do in 1417.<ref>{{ja icon}} "命議政府議處流山國島人江原道觀察使報云流山國島人白加勿等十二名來泊高城於羅津言曰予等生長武陵其島内人戸十一男女共六十餘今移居本島是島自東至西自南至北皆二息周回八息無牛馬水田唯種豆一斗出二十石或三十石麥一石出五十餘石竹如大椽海錯果木皆在焉竊慮此人等逃還姑分置于通州高城扞城" See .</ref>
The Liancourt Rocks were designated as a breeding ground for ]s, ]s, and ]s as ] #336 of South Korea on November 29, 1982.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 December 1982 |title=문화재(천연기념물)보호구역지정 |url=http://theme.archives.go.kr/viewer/common/archWebViewer.do?singleData=N&archiveEventId=0028139917#19}}</ref>


== See also ==
The ''Sejong Sillok'' ("Chronicle of ]", 1432) mentions Usan-do,<ref name="his">Korea.net (1999–2006). . Retrieved ], 2006.</ref> but interpretation of the context is disputed. Korean scholars interpret the text as: "Usan-do and Mulung-do (Ulleung-do), located in the sea east of the Prefecture, are close enough to each other that in clear weather the two islands come into view ''''", and consider it as evidence that Usan-do refers to Dokdo, the only island that is visible from Ulleungdo only in clear weather.<ref name="his" /> Japanese scholars interpret the latter part as "come into view ''''." They argue that Usan-do refers to Juk-do. Juk-do is 4 km east of Ulleung-do. (The Chinese characters 竹島 are read as ''Juk-do'' in Korean and ''Takeshima'' in Japanese.)
{{Portal|Politics|Japan|South Korea|Islands}}
* ]
* ]
{{Clear}}


==Notes==
The ''Don'guk yeoji seungnam'' ("Augmented Survey of the Geography of the Eastern Nation (Korea)", 1481) defining Korea's territory, stated that "Usando and Ulleungdo are under the jurisdiction of Uljin-hyeon of ] as an administrative unit. However, Don'guk yoji sungnam also mentions that the tree and the beach could be clearly seen on a fine day and thus there is another theory that Usan-island and Ulleung-island are the same island, as trees cannot grow on Dokdo and the two islands are 90 km apart. The 1531 revision of this book includes the ] ("Map of the Eight Provinces"), showing two separate islands of Usan-do and Ulleung-do in the middle of the Sea of Japan (East Sea). Usando is drawn to the ''west'' of Ulleungdo (Dokdo is to the ''east'' of　Ulleungdo).
{{Notelist}}


==Inline citations==
On the Korean cartographs ] (by Chong Sang-gi, 1678~1752), ] (1822), and ] (by Kim Tae-gon, 1821~1846), Usando is displayed. From the Korean point of view, this islet is Dokdo, but Japan construes this to be Jukdo from the distance, shape, size, and direction.<ref>{{ja icon}} See which is on and part of . </ref> However, Korean scholars such as Professor Shin Yong-ha of Hanyang University argue against this by saying that Jukdo, as with Dokdo, is not only also rather small in size, but is even less noteworthy than Dokdo on a map due to its proximity to Ulleungdo, thus making it meaningless to draw it unto a map in the immediate presence of a much larger island while Dokdo, due to its distance, commands a greater need to be displayed on a cartograph to leave no ambiguity concerning the administrative control of the Korean government. Korean scholars also argue that there is little way to infer information from the depiction of minor islands on older drawings due to the fact that their shape is generally more or less the same (that is, all are miniature circles).
{{Reflist|30em}}


=== References ===
From the early fifteenth century to the aftermath of the ], which were fought primarily between 1592 to 1598 by ] and ] Japan, the government in Korea was unable and unwilling to maintain a civilian population on both Ulleung-do and Dokdo. According to the ''Taejong Sillok'' ("Chronicle of King Taejong"), the mainland government forcibly evacuated the islands during King Taejong's reign as according to the "vacant island policy" and thus the islets was only occasionally populated by permanent settlers up to the seventeenth century (a permanent population existed only on Ulleung-do). Following the war, the islands were completely vacated.
* {{citation|author=BAEK In-ki |author2=SHIM Mun-bo |author3=Korea Maritime Institute |title=A study of Distance between Ulleungdo and Dokdo and Ocean Currents (울릉도와 독도의 거리와 해류에 관한 연구) |date=December 2006 |url=http://library.kmi.re.kr/w03_01e.asp?gs_DType=m&gs_DControlNo=52190 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130112034708/http://library.kmi.re.kr/w03_01e.asp?gs_DType=m&gs_DControlNo=52190 |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 January 2013 |pages=20–22 |isbn=978-89-7998-340-1 }}
* {{citation |author=BBC staff |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4925258.stm |title=Seoul and Tokyo hold island talks |publisher=BBC |date=20 April 2006}}
* {{citation |author=BBC staff |date=27 July 2008 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7511065.stm |title=Island row hits Japanese condoms|work=BBC News}}
* {{citation |last=Fern |first=Sean |date=Winter 2005 |title=Tokdo or Takeshima? The International Law of Territorial Acquisition in the Japan-Korea Island Dispute |journal=Stanford Journal of East Asian Affairs |volume=5 |number=1}}
* {{citation |author=Gyeongsangbuk-do Province |date=28 September 2017a |url=http://en.dokdo.go.kr/pages/s03/page.html?mc=7180 |title=Climate |website=Dokdo, Beautiful island of Korea |publisher=Korean Government }}
* {{citation |author=Gyeongsangbuk-do Province |date=28 September 2017b |url=http://en.dokdo.go.kr/pages/s01/page.html?mc=7226 |title=Composition |website=Dokdo, Beautiful island of Korea |publisher=Korean Government }}
* {{citation |author=Gyeongsangbuk-do Province |date=28 September 2017c |url=http://en.dokdo.go.kr/pages/s01/page.html?mc=7225 |title=Location |website=Dokdo, Beautiful island of Korea |publisher=Korean Government }}
* {{citation |author=Gyeo ngbuk Province |year=2001a |url=http://en.dokdo.go.kr/pages/sub01/page.html?mc=0082 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729172424/http://en.dokdo.go.kr/pages/sub01/page.html?mc=0082 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-07-29 |title=Natural Environment |website=Cyber Dokdo |publisher=Korean Government }}
* {{citation |author=Gyeo ngbuk Province |year=2001b |url=http://en.dokdo.go.kr/pages/sub01/page.html?mc=0093 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729172446/http://en.dokdo.go.kr/pages/sub01/page.html?mc=0093 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-07-29 |title=Visit Dokdo |website=Cyber Dokdo |publisher=Korean Government }}
* {{citation|last=Ha |first=Michael |date=26 August 2008 |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2009/01/177_30015.html |title=A Unique Trip to Dokdo—Islets in the News |newspaper=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065204/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2009/01/177_30015.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |df=dmy }}
* {{citation |last=Kirk |first=Donald |date=26 July 2008 |url= http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/JG26Dh01.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090301001613/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/JG26Dh01.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 1 March 2009 |title=Seoul has desert island dreams |work= Asia Times Online }}
* {{citation |author=KOIS staff |date=12 January 2007 |url=http://www.korea.net/News/News/NewsView.asp?serial_no=20070111037&part=109&SearchDay= |title=Cell phones give Korean ring to Dokdo |publisher=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302011635/http://www.korea.net/News/News/NewsView.asp?serial_no=20070111037&part=109&SearchDay= |archive-date=2 March 2009}}
* {{citation |author=KOIS staff |date=12 June 2007a |url=http://www.korea.net/news/news/NewsView.asp?serial_no=20070612020&part=102&SearchDay= |title=Doosan pours big drink for Dokdo residents |publisher=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302022720/http://www.korea.net/news/news/NewsView.asp?serial_no=20070612020&part=102&SearchDay= |archive-date=2 March 2009}}
* {{citation |last=Choe |date=28 August 2008 |first=Sang-Hun |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/28/asia/island.php |title=A fierce Korean pride in a lonely group of islets |newspaper=International Herald Tribune |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828200807/http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/28/asia/island.php |archive-date=28 August 2008}}
* {{citation |author=Yonhap staff |date=20 July 2011 |url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2011/07/30/34/0301000000AEN20110730001800320F.HTML |title=N. Korea denounces Japan's vow to visit island near Dokdo |publisher=]}}


==External links==
''Takeshima Tōkai Yuraiki Bassho Hikae'', written by Ōya Kyuemon, records that in 1618 the ] granted the Ōya and Murakami families of Yonago fishing rights, and in 1661, feudal tenure, of "Takeshima", which then referred to Ulleung-do. On the way to Ulleung-do, Japanese fishermen sometimes used the islets, then called in Japanese {{nihongo|"Matsushima"|松島|}}, as an intermediate port of call. From the Korean point of view, the grants were invalid because the islets were Korean territory.<ref>See , May 2005, ''Korea Foundation Newsletter''.</ref>
{{Commons category|Liancourt Rocks}}
{{Wikivoyage|Liancourt Rocks}}


'''South Korea'''
The earliest record for Japan's claim on Dokdo comes from Japanese records that Dokdo was their territory since 1618.<ref>See , part of the website maintained by ].</ref> This is a contradiction of the ''terra nullius'' policy adopted later by Shimane Prefecture in 1904 (noted below).
*
* (Korea)
*
**{{cite web|author=대한민국외교부|author-link=Ministry of Foreign Affairs (South Korea)|title=Dokdo, Beautiful Island of Korea|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEF9FDh4nZc| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/mEF9FDh4nZc| archive-date=2021-11-17 | url-status=live|date=2014-04-22|language=en|website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}


'''Japan'''
In 1677, the Japanese record ''Onshu shicho goki'' ("Records on Observations in Oki Province") was compiled by Saito Hessen in 1667. Saito was a retainer of the daimyo of Izumo (sesshu) and at his lord's behest made an observation trip to Oki Island whereupon he submitted these records to his lord. The record reports the following:
* (])

** Cabinet Secretariat, Japan
''Oki is in the middle of the North Sea and is called Okinoshima.'' ''Going further from there for two days and one night in a northwesterly direction, one reaches Matsushima.'' ''Also there is Takeshima at another day's travel.'' ''These two islands are uninhabited and viewing Goryeo from there is like viewing Oki from Onshu.'' ''And thus Matsushima (Ulleung-do) marks the northwestern boundary of Japan.''
* (] office, Japan)

* (])
Considering that this report was compiled from the view of Japan, Matsushima (the closer island) refers to Dokdo and Takeshima (the farther island) refers to Ulleung-do.<ref>See from the site maintained by .</ref>
** Northeast Asia Division, Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, ] (February 2008)

** Northeast Asia Division, Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, MOFA, Japan (March 2014)
===The Ahn Yong-bok incident===
**{{cite web|author=MOFA, Japan |author-link=Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan) |title=Takeshima - Seeking a Solution based on Law and Dialogue |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYRHZX3m-bg | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/DYRHZX3m-bg| archive-date=2021-11-17 | url-status=live|date=October 31, 2013 |language=en |website=YouTube }}{{cbignore}}
In the spring of 1693 in the 19th year of ] about 40 Korean fisherman from ] and ] clashed with the ] and ] fishermen at Ulleung-do. The Japanese proposed that the matter be settled peacefully and asked the Koreans to send their delegates. Ahn Yong-bok and Pak O-dun went to the Japanese side as Korean delegates, but were captured and taken to the lord of Okinoshima.

The lord of Okinoshima soon found the case outside his official competency and sent Ahn to his superior, the magistrate of Hokishu (modern-day ]). Ahn was then taken to ], where the ] (Imperial regent) of the ] made a note that confirmed Ulleungdo as Korean territory. Ahn was in possession of the note until he was seized en route to Korea by the lord of Nagasaki, where it was confiscated and he was held on the grounds of trespassing onto Japanese territory. Ahn was then held hostage by the governor of Tsushima Island (So Yoshitsugu), but the Tokugawa Shogunate ordered Ahn's release. According to Japanese records, the provincial governor reported the incident to the Tokugawa Shogunate, which warned the governor of Busan, which was home to the Japanese consulate and quarter, to tighten the control of Korean "transgressors". This led to diplomatic friction between Hanseong and Edo.

In 1694, Korea warned Japan to stay away from Ulleung-do, and Japan prohibited Japanese vessels from going to Ulleung-do.<ref>See on the site.</ref> As a response to the Korean warning, the Kanpaku issued the following instructions to So Yoshimichi, So Yoshitsugu's successor and new lord of Tsushima (translated into English):

:''1.Takeshima is about 160-ri (64km) from Oki but only about 40-ri (16km) from Korea; therefore, it can be considered Korean territory as it is nearer to that country.''
:''2.Japanese are forbidden henceforth to make passage to Takeshima.''
:''3.The lord of Tsushima should communicate this to Korea.''
:''4.He should also send the Osakabe Daisuke (judge) of Tsushima to Korea officially to notify the Korean government of this decision and report the result of his mission to the Kanpaku.''

In 1696, according to the ''Sukjong Sillok'', Ahn sailed to Ulleung-do and Dokdo again with the company of sixteen fishermen, disguised as a naval officer, and clashed again with the Japanese as Ulleung-do. The Japanese said they were living on Matsushima (Tokdo) and strayed onto Takeshima (Ullungdo) while fishing and would return. Ahn fulminated at this, demanding to know why the Japanese were, in Ahn's view, living on a Korean island. Arriving in Japan, Ahn had the Tokugawa Shogunate reconfirm in writing that Ulleung-do and Dokdo were Korean possessions.<ref>See , ''Korean Times'', ], ].</ref><ref>See , ''Digital Chosun Ilbo'', ], ].</ref>

But as for Dokdo, it is unclear whether the Tokugawa Shogunate regarded the islets as Korean possessions because they were not referred to in the treaty. The South Korean government insists that the area of "Ulleung-do" included Dokdo, as the treaty also mentioned that Japanese sailors should not travel to either island. The Japanese government insists that the Shogunate did not prohibit Japanese from sailing to Dokdo because Japanese fishers continued to fish using the islets. This was even after the prohibition on sailing to Ulleung-do.<ref>See . </ref>

Following the diplomatic spat in the seventeenth century, the ''Sangoku setsujozu'' ("A Map of Three Adjoining Countries"), a map attached to the ''Sangoku tsuran zusetsu'' ("An Illustrated General Survey of Three Countries") was compiled by Hayashi Shihei (1738-1793) and published in 1785. The map shows international boundaries and foreign countries in different colors: Korea is in yellow and Japan in green. On the map Ullungdo and Tokdo are shown in their correct positions in yellow. Alongside the islands Hayashi wrote, "Korea's possessions."<ref>See . </ref>

In the ''Dainihonzu'' ("Map of Great Japan"), another map attached to An Illustrated General Survey of Three Countries, Hiyashi also treated Ulleungdo and Dokdo as Korean territory in an explanatory note. In the latter part of the 18th century, a ''Japanese geographer'' made a map called ''Soezu'' ("A Complete Illustrated Map") which uses colors to distinguish national borders and territories: Korea in yellow and Japan in red. Ulleungdo and Dokdo are not identified by name, but are shown in yellow in their accurate positions and described as "Korea's possessions."

Regardless, some have commented that any remaining historical documents are so ambiguous that it is not easy to interpret which recorded term refers to which island.

===Other Maps and records===
*''Chosen Hachido-no Zu'' (1758) depicts Ulleung-do and Usan-guk(state) on one big island within Korean territory. Korean scholars insist that Dokdo is comparised in this one island. Japanese insist that only Ullengdo is drawn in this map.<ref>See , University of Tsukuba Library,.</ref>
*''Sangoku Tsuran Yochi Rotei Zensu'' (1785) depicts as Korean territory a small island located next to Ulleung-do. Korean scholars believe this to depict Dokdo, but Japanese scholars believe it corresponds to Juk-do.
*''Dae Dong Yeo Ji Do'' (1861), depicts one island. Korean scholars insist that Dokdo is comprised in this island. Japanese insist that only Ullengdo is drawn in this map.<ref>See . </ref>

In 1849, a ] ] from ] by the name of Le Liancourt, named the islets "Rochers de Liancourt" in 1849.<ref name="cyb" /> In 1854, the Russians called them the "Manalai and Olivutsa Rocks" upon their first sighting and, in 1855, the English started calling them the "Hornet Rocks".<ref name="net" />

The inconsistent use of the names "Takeshima" and "Matsushima" in Japanese documents leaves room for dispute. Most Japanese documents and maps after 1905 use the name ''Takeshima'' or place the islets in Korean territory outright under the title ''Dokdo'', while pre-1905 documents tend to use ''Takeshima'', ''Matsushima'', or entirely exclude the islets.

In 1877, the Japanese Dajokan (Council of State) issued the following ruling, (translated into English):

:''In response to the compilation of the cadastre for Takeshima and another island in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) per Home Office Inquiry.''
:''Knowing that our country has nothing to do with them as the result of the communication between our old government and that country involved after the entry into the island by the Koreans in the fifth year of the Genroku, and having examined the view stated in the inquiry, the following draft instruction has been made for deliberation and sanction.''
:''Draft Introduction-''
:''In reference to Takeshima and another island, it is to be understood that our country has nothing to do with them.''

On ] ], the ] issued Korean Government Imperial Ordinance 41,<ref>See </ref> incorporating the islands of Ulleung-do, Juk-do (竹島), and Seok-do (石島) into Ulleung County. The Korean government regards "Seok-do" as the island they now call Dok-do because 石島(Seok-do) is pronounced "Dok-do" in the Gyeongsang and Jeolla dialects.<ref>See </ref><ref></ref> Article ・ of the ordinance designated Taehadong as the kun office venue and defined the jurisdiction of the Uldo country magistrate as extending over the whole of Ulleung-do, Juk-do, and Seok-do. Here Juk-do refers to Jukseo-do, a rocky islet adjoining Ullungdo that was confirmed by Yi Kyu-won in his diary during an inspection trip there.

A majority of the people who settled on Ulleungdo were from Jeolla Province. In the dialect of that region ''dol'' (meaning rock; ''seok'' or 石 in ]) is pronounced as ''dok'', thus ''dol-seom'' (literally rocky island) becomes dok-seom. As a result the government registered the island as Seok-do or 石島 in the Chinese writing system &mdash;the preferred method of transcription- which had remained official (as was Latin under the Roman Empire and French after the Norman conquest in Great Britain) even after the creation of ] as the indigenous Korean alphabet in 1447.

Similar cases can be found not only in the names of islands but also those of valleys. This is especially true for the southern regions of Korea. In some cases ''Dok-seom'' is pronounced ''Dokdo'' and is written with the Chinese characters 獨島. The sound ''dok'' or ''dol'' is the Chinese character 獨, and 島 is the Chinese character for island &mdash; namely, som or to.

Although the government adopted the name of Seok-do for Dokdo when the ordinance came into effect, the residents of Ullungdo called the island either Seok-do or Dokdo.

During the Russo-Japanese war the Japanese warship ''Niitakago'' was sent to Ulleungdo to investigate the area in preparation for the building of a watchtower on Dokdo in 1904. The deck log of ''Niitakago'' recorded that Korean wrote the islets as 'Dokdo(獨島)'.

Japan, however, makes use of the inconsistency of terms used for the islands and claims that Korea is short of evidence that makes "Seok-do" "Dokdo". Some Japanese researchers claim Seok-do to be a different island now called Kwaneum-do(관음도) and that Korean government did not regard Dokdo as its territory at the time.<ref>See .</ref>

During the Russo-Japanese War and increasing Japanese influence over Korea, ''Takeshima'' was proclaimed a part of ] in ] under the doctrine of '']'' (although this presumption is no longer mentioned in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the release of Korean Imperial Ordinance 41) on ], ]. The Koreans were not notified of the annexation until ] 1906, when Korea had already become a Japanese protectorate under the ] and thus had no power to protest the Japanese government's actions.<ref>See </ref><ref>See .</ref> The South Korean government claims this incorporation is invalid because it was done covertly. Japan, on the other hand, claims it was not done secretly and was reported in newspapers and that it does not violate any international laws.<ref>See </ref> Notably, however, the Japanese did not contact other countries of its annexation of Dokdo as it did with the acquisition of the Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands in the Pacific, when it contacted Great Britain and the U.S. several times, which were only remotely involved in them, as well as notified 12 European countries of its establishment of control over the islands. (In any case, the previously-held claim of ''terra nullius'' creates a contradiction in the Japanese argument: if the islands had been Japanese territory since 1618, the ''terra nullius'' policy would have been incorrect, while if the ''terra nullius'' policy had been right, the Japanese claim of historical ownership over the islets would be void.)
<!--Note: "New Geography of Korea" says the territory of Ulleung County is from 130°35′ to 130°45′East longitude. The Liancourt Rocks are located at about 131°52′ E. Japan didn't regard Liancourt Rocks as Korean territory then.-->

===After World War II and during occupied Japan===
Upon Japan's defeat in ] and ], Korea, and Taiwan by the ], the ] Instruction #677 of ], ] excluded Dokdo from Japan's administrative authority.<ref>See .</ref>
:SUBJECT:Governmental and Administrative Separation of Certain Outlying Areas Japan.
:''1.The Imperial Japanese Government is directed to cease exercising, or attempting to exercise, governmental or administrative authority over any area outside Japan, or over any government officials and employees or any other persons within such areas.''
:''3.For the purpose of this directive, Japan is defined to include the four main islands of Japan (Hokkaidō, Honshū, Kyūshū and Shikoku) and the approximately 1,000 smaller adjacent islands, including the Tsushima Islands and the Ryūkyū (Nansei) Islands north of 30° North Latitude (excluding Kuchinoshima Island); and excluding
::''(a) Utsuryo (Ullung) Island, Liancourt Rocks (Take Island), and Kuelpart (saishu or Cheju) Island,''
::''(b) the Ryūkyū (nansei) Islands south of 30° North Latitude (including Kuchinoshima Island), the Izu, Kanpo, Bonin (Ogasawara) and Volcano (Kazan or Iwo) Island Groups, and all other outlying Pacific Islands including the Daito (Ohigashi or Gagari) Islands Group, and Parace Vela (Okino-tori), Kercus (Kinami-tori) and Canges (Nakano-tori) Islands, and''
::''(c) the Kurile (Chishima) Islands, the Habomai (Hapomazo) Islands Group (including Suisho, Yuri, Aki-yuri, Shibotsu and Taraku Islands) and Shikotan Island.''

All islands mentioned in (a), other than Dokdo, were returned to South Korea. Those mentioned in (b) were eventually returned to Japan. Those mentioned in (c), for the most part, remain in Russian control (though disputed by Japan). The instruction stated that "nothing in this directive shall be construed as an indication of Allied policy relating to the ultimate determination of the minor islands referred to in Article 8 of the Potsdam Declaration."

A similar description is seen in Article 5 of ] Instruction #1033 that became the origin of the ] line. SCAPIN are instructions of occupation forces based on international law of war, and not treaties between subjects.

Several official memoranda recorded in the ''Foreign Relations of the United States'' between 1949 and 1951 appear to side with Japan's view and are occasionally described as "proof" of American support such as the ].<ref>See ].</ref>

:''Article 2: (a) Japan, recognizing the independence of Korea, renounces all right, title and claim to Korea, including the islands of Quelpart , Port Hamilton , and Dagelet .''

The CIA's Daily Digest of November 30, 1951, reported Japan decided to abandon the islets after signing the San Francisco Peace Treaty in September 1951.<ref>{{cite journal | date = 24 | year = 2005 | month = March|url = http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsview_sub.php?menu=1&key=2005032430|title = CIA Records Say Japan Gave up Dokdo|accessdate = 2006-06-07 | journal = KBS Global}}</ref> However, such document of Japanese Government has not been discovered.

Japan argues that Dokdo is not named because the parties accepted its claim over the islets.<ref name=DI-SMRLine>(ko) , ], 2006/01/18. See also ].</ref><ref name=SI-vanfleet>(ko) , ], 2006-03-27. See also ].</ref> Korea responds that Article 2 is stated to be non-exclusive, silent on other Korean islets like Mara-do, and that the silence means SCAPIN 677's exclusion of Dokdo from Japanese territory remains in effect<ref>See .</ref>

In 1951, during the Korean War, Lieutenant General John B. Coulter affiliated with the U.S. Army in Korea requested and received permission from South Korea to use the islets for military exercises, though it is unknown whether such permission was also requested of Japan.<ref>See </ref> Barely a year later, on ] ], the United States made a security agreement with Japan listing the island as a "facility of the Japanese Government."

Today, the ] avoids the issue, hoping it can be solved by Japan and Korea amicably.<ref>See </ref>

===Armed confrontations===
South Korean President ]'s (]) declaration of ], ], three months before the ] came into effect, included Dokdo as a Korean territory that was protested by the US, China, and Japan.<ref name=DI-SMRLine>(ko) , ], 2006/01/18.</ref><ref name=SI-vanfleet>(ko) , ], 2006-03-27. See also ].</ref>

On ], ], South Korea ordered its army to enforce its claim on the islets, and on ], ] South Korean volunteer coastguardsmen set up camp. However, the records of their activity have been questioned.<ref>(ko) , ], 2006-10-30.</ref> The Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea investigated the issue and found out that 16 voluntary guards out of 33 decorated in 1996 had never come close to the islets. The board is also planning to set up the truth commission to reevaluate their activity.<ref>(ko) , mbn/Naver News 2007-04-19</ref>

According to Japan, five Japanese fishermen were shot to death, 3,929 Japanese fishermen and 328 fishing boats were abducted and detained in South Korea as hostages for crossing the line between 1952 and 1965. The fishermen were released in 1965 in return for the release of 472 Koreans imprisoned in Japan.<ref>{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www2.pref.shimane.jp/kouhou/photo/161/06.html|title = Shimane Prefectural Government website: Photo Shimane No. 161|language = Japanese|accessdate = 2006-05-07 }}</ref>

On ], ], two Japanese Coast Guard vessels briefly landed and erected a territorial post on the islets. Several armed skirmishes followed, leading to the sinking of a Japanese ship by Korean mortar fire on ], ]. Similar incidents occurred on ], ] and ], ].

In September 1954, Japan protested and suggested arbitration action at the ], but the offer was fiercely rejected by South Korea.<ref>See </ref> After the incidents, in 1954, South Korea built a ] and a helicopter landing pad on the islets, which it has regularly administered ever since.<ref name="net" />

The issue of sovereignty over Dokdo was omitted from the 1965 ]<ref>See .</ref>

===Recent developments===
The dispute occasionally resurfaces, such as when South Korea built a wharf on the islets in 1996 and declared them a Natural Monument in 2002, spurred by a controversial Japanese textbook that called South Korea's control of the islets "illegal" that same year. Most Koreans regard Japan's claims to the islets as a sign of Japan's unrepentant expansionism.

In June 2005, a South Korean official guideline recommended referring to Dokdo in the ] form ‘island’ “to reflect the island character, instead of ‘islands’, ‘islet(s)’ or ‘rock(s)’.<ref>See .</ref>

In the same year, Japan's ] designated ] ''Takeshima Day'', to commemorate the centennial anniversary of Japan's claim to the islets and boost public interest in Japan about the dispute. In response, Korea's Masan municipality passed the ''Daemado Day'' bill, commemorating General ]'s conquest of the ] in 1419.

In 2004 South Korea issued a set of stamps depicting the wildlife of Dokdo under that name, implying an ownership claim. The Japanese government formally protested this action as a violation of the spirit of the ] charter.<ref>See .</ref><ref>See </ref> Similar stamp series had been printed in 2002 and even 1954. The stamp dispute was allegedly linked to a series of ]s and other ] campaigns between Koreans and Japanese.<ref>See .</ref>

===2006 Japanese maritime survey===
In April 2006, Japan dispatched two ships to Dokdo to conduct a maritime survey near the islets, without formally notifying South Korea. In response, the South Korean government dispatched eighteen patrol ships to the islets, warning the Japanese government not to go through with its plans.<ref>See .</ref> South Korean foreign minister ] emphasized that Seoul was "preparing counter-measures for all scenarios", leading some in the media to speculate that the South Korean military may try to capture the Japanese ships.<ref>See , Yahoo! News, ], ].</ref>

South Korea maintained that the proposed maritime survey would encroach on its ] surrounding the islets, and that such a move must be accompanied by advance notice according to international law.<ref>See .</ref> For its part, Japan denied any attempt to enter the EEZ, stating that all activities would take place inside its own waters.<ref>See , Yahoo! News, ], ].</ref> Because of the competing claims to the islets, both South Korea and Japan have claimed the area in which the hydrological survey would be conducted as part of their EEZ. On ] ], The Korea Times reported that South Korean officials viewed Japanese actions as an attempt to bring the dispute over the islets to an international court.<ref>See .</ref> On ], ], the Korean government refused to take the matter to the International Court of Justice.<ref>See .</ref> The Japanese officials stated that the maritime survey ship would not enter the area near the islets on ], as previously planned, but it would still maintain that no diplomatic agreement has been reached between the two governments.<ref>See .</ref>

On ], ], The Chosun Ilbo (The Chosun Daily Report) and The Japan Times both stated that at least one of the main reasons for the maritime survey arose from a naming dispute between South Korea and Japan. Several of the features on the sea floor within South Korea's claimed EEZ carry Japanese names, which in turn led to South Korea's plan to propose Korean names for the features at an international conference in Germany over the naming of submarine features.<ref>See </ref><ref>See .</ref>

An agreement to end the dispute was eventually reached during meetings on ] and ] between the South Korean and Japanese vice foreign ministers, in which Japan agreed to suspend the survey, while Korea agreed not to push forward its proposal "until an appropriate time," although the Japanese side interpreted this as the period of the IHO meeting in June.<ref>See .</ref>

===2006 South Korean maritime survey===
On ] ] a South Korean survey ship entered the disputed waters around the islets. The Japanese foreign ministry called the survey "extremely regrettable", and lodged a complaint with the South Korean ambassador in Tokyo.<ref>See .</ref>

===2006 Japanese Radioactive Waste Survey===
The chief cabinet secretary of Japan, ], announced on ] ] that Japan had indicated through the newly proposed bilateral mutual notification procedures to Korea of its intention to have the Japan Coast Guard conduct a radioactive waste survey from late August to early September to examine the effect of waste that was dumped in waters near ] in ]'s ] by the former ]. The survey area contains a couple of points located in the South Korean-claimed EEZ near the disputed islets while the specific locations were not clarified. Abe also said Japan will conduct the survey in response to South Korea's survey in the Japan-claimed EEZ in early July, 2006.<ref>, ], 2006-08-02.</ref>

===Mutual Notification Talks===
The latest surveys prompted an agreement to discuss notification procedures for both nations. Reportedly, mandating notification of each other whenever undertaking a study or survey in the disputed area where their claimed ]s overlap will be discussed. This marks a step forward, as South Korea has in the past refused to discuss this issue, which Japan had proposed earlier.<ref></ref><ref> Japan, S. Korea to discuss notification procedure for EEZ surveys</ref>

==Map Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Location-of-Liancourt-rocks-en.png
Image:Hachidou2.jpg|Paldo Chongdo
Image:Tongkuk chido.jpg|Donguk jido
Image:Heajwa chondo.jpg|Haejwa Jeondo
Image:Tongguk.jpg|Dongguk Jeondo
</gallery>

==See also==
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]: Asian largest military ship. LPX Dokdo is the first flagship of ROK Navy's Rapid Response Fleet(Blue Navy).

== Notes ==
<div class="references-small">
{{reflist|2}}
</div>

==References==
* Korea Times . Retrieved ], 2006.

== External links ==
* , an American's photographs of his trip to the islets.

===Official sites===
*
*
*
* [http://www.dokdo.go.kr/for/index.php?lang_code=ENG Cyber Dokdo System by Gyeongbuk provincial authorities.

===Pro-Korea===
*
* Pro-Korea view by an English speaker
* Pro-Korea view by an English speaker
* Third party analysis of dispute in an academic journal
* Pro-Korea view by an English speaker
* , Yonhap via Yahoo news

===Pro-Japan===
* compiled by .


{{Coord|37|14|30|N|131|52|00|E |type:landmark |display=title}} <!-- region:KR_ or JP -->
{{Territorial disputes in East and South Asia}} {{Territorial disputes in East and South Asia}}
{{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 15:54, 8 December 2024

Group of disputed islets in the Sea of Japan For the naming and territorial dispute surrounding these rocks, see Liancourt Rocks dispute. "Dokdo" and "Takeshima" redirect here. For other uses, see Dokdo (disambiguation) and Takeshima (disambiguation).

Liancourt Rocks
Disputed islands
The two main islets
Other namesLiancourt Islets, Liancourt Islands, Takeshima, Dokdo, Tok Islets, Hornet Islands, Kajido, Sambongdo
Geography
LocationSea of Japan
Coordinates37°14′30″N 131°52′0″E / 37.24167°N 131.86667°E / 37.24167; 131.86667
Total islands91 (37 permanent land)
Major islandsEast Islet, West Islet
Area18.745 ha (46.32 acres)
East Islet: 7.33 hectares (18.1 acres)
West Islet: 8.864 hectares (21.90 acres)
Highest elevation169 m (554 ft)
Highest pointWest Islet
Administration
 South Korea
CountyUlleung County, North Gyeongsang
Claimed by
 Japan
TownOkinoshima, Shimane (Japan)
 North Korea
CountyUlleung County, North Gyeongsang
Demographics
PopulationApproximately 26

The Liancourt Rocks, also known by their Korean name of Dokdo (Korean: 독도) or their Japanese name of Takeshima,(Japanese: 竹島) are a group of islets in the Sea of Japan between the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese archipelago administered by South Korea. The Liancourt Rocks comprise two main islets and 35 smaller rocks; the total surface area of the islets is 0.187554 square kilometres (46.346 acres) and the highest elevation of 168.5 metres (553 ft) is on the West Islet. The Liancourt Rocks lie in rich fishing grounds that may contain large deposits of natural gas. The English name Liancourt Rocks is derived from Le Liancourt, the name of a French whaling ship that came close to being wrecked on the rocks in 1849.

While South Korea controls the islets, its sovereignty over them is contested by Japan. North Korea also claims the territory. South Korea classifies the islets as Dokdo-ri, Ulleung-eup, Ulleung County, North Gyeongsang Province, while Japan classifies the islands as part of Okinoshima, Oki District, Shimane Prefecture.

Geography

A steep, rocky island surrounded by dark blue seaA round rocky island, with an empty port. Seagulls block some of the frame.The West island (top) and the East island (bottom)

The Liancourt Rocks consist of two main islets and numerous surrounding rocks. The two main islets, called Seodo (서도; 西島; lit. western island) and Dongdo (동도; 東島; lit. eastern island) in Korean and Ojima (男島; "Male Island") and Mejima (女島; "Female Island") in Japanese, are 151 metres (495 ft) apart. The Western Island is the larger of the two, with a wider base and higher peak, while the Eastern Island offers more usable surface area.

Altogether, there are about 90 islets and reefs, volcanic rocks formed in the Cenozoic era, more specifically 4.6 to 2.5 million years ago. A total of 37 of these islets are recognized as permanent land.

The total area of the islets is about 187,554 square metres (46.346 acres), with their highest point at 168.5 metres (553 ft) on the West Islet. The western islet is about 88,740 square metres (21.93 acres); the eastern islet is about 73,300 square metres (18.1 acres). The western islet consists of a single peak and features many caves along the coastline. The cliffs of the eastern islet are about 10 to 20 metres (33 to 66 ft) high. There are two large caves giving access to the sea, as well as a crater.

In 2006, a geologist reported that the islets formed 4.5 million years ago and are (in a geological sense) quickly eroding.

Tourism

Restricted public access to the rocks for a variety of purposes is provided by ferry from Ulleng Island. In 2022, 280,312 tourists visited the islands, averaging 500 visitors per day.

Distances

The Liancourt Rocks are located at about 37°14′N 131°52′E / 37.233°N 131.867°E / 37.233; 131.867. The western islet is located at 37°14′31″N 131°51′55″E / 37.24194°N 131.86528°E / 37.24194; 131.86528 (West Islet) and the Eastern Islet is located at 37°14′27″N 131°52′10″E / 37.24083°N 131.86944°E / 37.24083; 131.86944 (East Islet).

The Liancourt Rocks are situated at a distance of 211 kilometres (114 nmi) from the main island of Japan (Honshu) and 216.8 kilometres (117.1 nmi) from mainland South Korea. The nearest Japanese island, Oki Islands, is at a distance of 157 kilometres (85 nmi), and the nearest Korean island, Ulleungdo, is 87.4 kilometres (47.2 nmi).

Climate

The Liancourt Rocks viewed from the North

Owing to their location and small size, the Liancourt Rocks can have harsh weather. If the swell is greater than 3 to 5 metres, then landing is not possible, so on average ferries can only dock about once in forty days. Overall, the climate is warm and humid, and heavily influenced by warm sea currents. Precipitation is high throughout the year (annual average—1,383.4 millimetres or 54.46 inches), with occasional snowfall. Fog is common. In summer, southerly winds dominate. The water around the islets is about 10 °C (50 °F) in early spring, when the water is coldest, warming to about 24 °C (75 °F) in late summer.

Ecology

Japanese sea lions at Liancourt Rocks during a Japanese sealing operation in 1934

The islets are volcanic rocks, with only a thin layer of soil and moss. About 49 plant species, 107 bird species, and 93 insect species have been found to inhabit the islets, in addition to local marine life with 160 algal and 368 invertebrate species identified. Although between 1,100 and 1,200 litres of fresh water flow daily, desalinization plants have been installed on the islets for human consumption because existing spring water suffers from guano contamination. Since the early 1970s trees and some types of flowers were planted. According to historical records, there used to be trees indigenous to Liancourt Rocks, which have supposedly been wiped out by overharvesting and fires caused by bombing drills over the islets. A recent investigation, however, identified ten spindle trees aged 100–120 years. Cetaceans such as Minke whales, orcas, and dolphins are known to migrate through these areas.

Pollution and environmental destruction

Records of the human impact on the Liancourt Rocks before the late 20th century are scarce, although both Japanese and Koreans claim to have felled trees and killed Japanese sea lions there for many decades.

There are serious pollution concerns in the seas surrounding the Liancourt Rocks. In 2004, a malfunction in the sewage water treatment system established on the islets caused sewage produced by inhabitants of the Liancourt Rocks, such as South Korean Coast Guards and lighthouse staff, to be dumped directly into the ocean. Significant water pollution was observed; sea water turned milky white, sea vegetation died, and coral reefs were calcified. The pollution also caused loss of biodiversity in the surrounding seas. In November 2004, eight tons of malodorous sludge was being dumped into the ocean every day. Efforts have since been made by both public and private organizations to reduce the level of pollution surrounding the Rocks.

Construction

South Korea has carried out construction work on the Liancourt Rocks; by 2009, the islands had a lighthouse, helicopter pad, and a police barracks. In 2007, two desalination plants were built capable of producing 28 tons of clean water every day. Both of the major South Korean telecommunications companies have installed cellular telephone towers on the islets.

History

Japanese map depicting the Liancourt Rocks in "Matsushima Ezu(松嶋絵図)", 1656, (Tottori Prefecture)

Whaling

U.S. and French whaleships cruised for right whales off the rocks between 1849 and 1892.

Demographics and economy

The base that houses South Korean police guards on the Liancourt Rocks' East Islet

In February 2017, there were two civilian residents, two government officials, six lighthouse managers, and 40 members of the coast guard living on the islets. Since the South Korean coast guard was sent to the islets, civilian travel has been subject to South Korean government approval; they have stated that the reason for this is that the islet group is designated as a nature reserve.

In March 1965, Choi Jong-duk moved from the nearby Ulleungdo to the islets to make a living from octopus fishing. He also helped install facilities from May 1968. In 1981, Choi Jong-duk changed his administrative address to the Liancourt Rocks, making himself the first person to officially live there. He died there in September 1987. His son-in-law, Cho Jun-ki, and his wife also resided there from 1985 until they moved out in 1992. Meanwhile, in 1991, Kim Sung-do and Kim Shin-yeol transferred to the islets as permanent residents, still continuing to live there. In October 2018, Kim Sung-do died, thus Kim Shin-yeol is the last civilian resident still living on the islands.

The South Korean government gave its approval to allow 1,597 visitors to visit the islets in 2004. Since March 2005, more tourists have received approval to visit. The South Korean government lets up to 70 tourists land at any given time; one ferry provides rides to the islets every day. Tour companies charge around 350,000 Korean won per person (about US$310 as of 2019).

Sovereignty dispute

Main article: Liancourt Rocks dispute

Sovereignty over the islands has been an ongoing point of contention in Japan–South Korea relations. There are conflicting interpretations about the historical state of sovereignty over the islets.

South Korean claims are partly based on references to an island called Usando (우산도; 于山島; 亐山島) in various medieval historical records, maps, and encyclopedia such as Samguk Sagi, Annals of Joseon Dynasty, Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam, and Dongguk munhon bigo. According to the South Korean view, these refer to today's Liancourt Rocks. Japanese researchers of these documents have claimed the various references to Usan-do refer at different times to Jukdo, its neighboring island Ulleungdo, or a non-existent island between Ulleungdo and Korea. The first printed usage of the name Dokdo was in a Japanese log book in 1904.

North Korea also regards the islands as Korean, and as it claims the entirety of Korea, North Korea claims the islands as its own and contests Japan's claim to the islands alongside South Korea.

  • South Korean stamps depicting the Liancourt Rocks from 1954 South Korean stamps depicting the Liancourt Rocks from 1954
  • A South Korean police boat approaches the dock on the Liancourt Rocks' East Islet. A South Korean police boat approaches the dock on the Liancourt Rocks' East Islet.

Natural Monument of South Korea

The Liancourt Rocks were designated as a breeding ground for band-rumped storm petrels, streaked shearwaters, and black-tailed gulls as Natural Monument #336 of South Korea on November 29, 1982.

See also

Notes

  1. Korean: 독도; Hanja: 獨島; IPA: [tok̚t͈o]; lit. 'solitary island' or 'lonely island'.
  2. Please add Japanese script to this article, where needed.
    ; IPA: [takeɕima]; lit. 'bamboo island'.
  3. Pronounced [lə ljɑ̃kuʁ]; named in honor of François Alexandre Frédéric, Duke of La Rochefoucauld and Liancourt.
  4. "There are records attesting to the existence of trees in the past" (BAEK In-ki, SHIM Mun-bo & Korea Maritime Institute 2006, p. 48)
  5. "Such description ... rather reminds us of Utsuryo Island" (para. 2); "A study ... criticizes ... that Usan Island and Utsuryo Island are two names for one island." (para. 3); and "that island does not exist at all in reality" (para. 4 – "10 Issues of Takeshima, MOFA (Article 2)" (PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan). February 2008. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 September 2008.

Inline citations

  1. ^ "Dokdo Residents". Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  2. Fern 2005, p. 78: "Since the end of World War II, Japan and Korea have contested ownership of these islets, given the name Liancourt Rocks by French whalers in the mid-1800s and called that by neutral observers to this day".
  3. BBC staff 2006.
  4. ^ Gyeongsangbuk-do Province 2017b.
  5. BBC staff 2008.
  6. Kirk 2008.
  7. 울릉군리의명칭과구역에관한조례 [개정 2000. 4. 7 조례 제1395호] [Act 1395 amending Chapter 14-2, Ri-Administration under Ulleung County, Local Autonomy Law, Ulleung County] (in Korean). "2000년 4월 7일 울릉군조례 제1395호로 독도리가 신설됨에 따라 독도의 행정구역이 종전의 경상북도 울릉군 울릉읍 도동리 산42～76번지에서 경상북도 울릉군 울릉읍 독도리 산1～37번지로 변경 됨."
    Translation: "Pursuant to Act 1395 amending Chapter 14-2, Ri-Administration under Ulleung County, Local Autonomy Law, Ulleung County, passed March 20, 2000, enacted April 7, 2000, the administrative designation of Dokdo addresses as 42 to 76, Dodong-ri, Ulleung-eup, Ulleung County, North Gyungsang Province, is changed to address 1 to 37, Dokdo-ri, Ulleung-eup, Ulleung County, North Gyungsang Province." 조회 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 1 March 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
  8. "독도ㆍ울릉도 `침몰하고 있다'"<손영관교수>. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). 1 December 2006. Archived from the original on 22 January 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  9. "독도 : 독도입도안내 페이지 입니다.아름다운 신비의 섬 - 울릉군". www.ulleung.go.kr. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  10. Gyeongsangbuk-do Province 2017c.
  11. ^ "The Issue of Takeshima". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  12. BAEK In-ki, SHIM Mun-bo & Korea Maritime Institute 2006, pp. 20–22.
  13. Gyeo ngbuk Province 2001b.
  14. Gyeongsangbuk-do Province 2017a.
  15. Gyeo ngbuk Province 2001a.
  16. 독도 자연생태계 정밀조사결과(요약) [A comprehensive survey of the natural ecosystems of Liancourt Rocks (synopsys)] (in Korean). Archived from the original on 22 July 2011.
  17. 독도 자생 사철나무 군락 첫 발견 [Indigenous Spindle Tree Colony Found on Liancourt Rocks] (in Korean).
  18. 독도 자생 사철나무 100년 이상 된 자생식물 [Liancourt Rock Spindle Trees Over 100 Years Old] (in Korean).
  19. 독도수비 해경, 그물걸린 범고래 구조 - 멸종위기 해양생물 보호 적극적인 조치 기대. K07011002K (in Korean): ENVIROASIA. 2007. Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  20. 独島警備の海洋警察、網にかかったシャチ救出. K07011002J (in Japanese). Translated by Koike T.: ENVIROASIA 2007. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  21. "동해 고래, 한미관계 뿐 아니라 독도 역사와도 연결". 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  22. 국민일보 (Gookmin Daily). "독도‘실효적 지배’새 근거 (New Evidence of effective control), 1890년 이전부터 독도서 강치잡이 (Sea lion hunting before 1890)
  23. Japan: Outline of Takeshima Issue
  24. 독도 오수정화시설이 동해바다 오염 주범?. Imaeil (in Korean). 28 September 2007. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2009.
  25. 독도 바다쓰레기 청소 6월2일부터 석달간 [Three-Month Cleanup for Dokdo's Marine Garbage Starts from June 2] (in Korean).
  26. 나무 심고 오물 줍고…아름다운 ‘독도 사랑’ (in Korean). 5 July 2010. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  27. Vladivostok News report Archived 23 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  28. Choe 2008.
  29. KOIS staff 2007a.
  30. KOIS staff 2007.
  31. Cambria, of New Bedford, Apr. 29, 1849, Nicholson Whaling Collection; Cape Horn Pigeon, of New Bedford, Apr. 19, 1892, Kendall Whaling Museum.
  32. On 13 December 1997 the "Special Act on the Preservation of Ecosystem in Island Areas Including Dokdo Island" was enacted by the South Korean parliament. The title of the Natural Monument No. 336, the Dokdo Seaweed Habitat, was changed to the Dokdo National Nature Reserve in December 1999. "Dokdo in History: Chronology". The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea.
  33. Hong, Euny (2014). The birth of Korean cool: how one nation is conquering the world through pop culture (1st ed.). New York: Picador. ISBN 978-1-250-04511-9.
  34. Lee Tae-hee (13 February 2019). "Widow to remain sole Dokdo resident, authorities confirm". The Korea Herald.
  35. McKirdy, Euan; Jeong, Sophie (15 February 2019). "Widow, 81, sole resident of remote island disputed by South Korea and Japan". CNN.
  36. 竹島人口は7万人 4年で倍増 日本人17人も住民登録している！？. KoreaWorldTimes (in Japanese). 16 August 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  37. Ha 2008.
  38. "Life in Dokdo". Cyber Dokdo of Korea. Archived from the original on 11 January 2013.
  39. ""Logbooks of the Japanese Warship Niitaka September 25th 1904"". Dokdo Takeshima The Historical Facts of the Dispute. 1 September 2008.
  40. Agency, United States Central Intelligence; Office, Government Publications (2016). The World Factbook 2016-17. Government Printing Office. p. 406. ISBN 9780160933271.
  41. "문화재(천연기념물)보호구역지정". 2 December 1982.

References

External links

South Korea

Japan

37°14′30″N 131°52′00″E / 37.24167°N 131.86667°E / 37.24167; 131.86667

Territorial disputes in East, South, and Southeast Asia
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