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Liancourt Rocks

Map showing the location of the Liancourt Rocks
Korean Name
Hangul	독도
Hanja	獨島
Revised Romanization	Dokdo
McCune-Reischauer	Tokto
Japanese Name
Hepburn romanization	Takeshima
Kanji	竹島

The Liancourt Rocks are islets in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). They are better known in English as Dokdo (romanized from Korean) or Takeshima (romanized from Japanese). Currently under South Korean control, the islets are also claimed by Japan.

South Korea classifies the islets as a part of Ulleung County, North Gyeongsang Province, while Japan classifies them as part of Okinoshima Town, Oki District, Shimane Prefecture.

In 1849, a French whaler from Le Havre, Le Liancourt named the islets Rochers de Liancourt. The Russians called them Manalai and Olivutsa Rocks in 1854 and the English called them the Hornet Rocks in 1855.

Geography

The Liancourt Rocks are composed mainly of the eastern and western islets, 150 meters apart (Dong-do and Seo-do in Korean, Higashi-jima and Nishi-jima in Japanese). Altogether, there are about 90 islets and reefs, volcanic rocks formed in the Cenozoic era. 37 of these islets are recognized as permanent land.

The total area of the Liancourt Rocks is about 187,450 square meters, with its highest point at 169 meters in the western islet. The western islet is about 88,640 square meters in area; the eastern islet about 73,300 square meters. The Liancourt Rocks are located at about 131°52′ East longitude and about 37°14′ North latitude. Dong-do (eastern islet) is located at 37°14′27″N 131°52′10″E / 37.24083°N 131.86944°E / 37.24083; 131.86944, and Seo-do (western islet)is located at 37°14′31″N 131°51′55″E / 37.24194°N 131.86528°E / 37.24194; 131.86528.

The islets are 217 km from mainland Korea and 250 km from mainland Japan. The nearest Korean territory (Ulleung-do) is 87 km away; and the nearest Japanese territory (Oki Islands) is 157 km away. In fair weather, the Liancourt Rocks can reportedly be seen from Ulleung-do.

The cliffs of the eastern island are about 10 to 20 meters high. There are two caves giving access to the sea, as well as a crater. The western island is the larger of the two islands. It consists of one single peak, and it features many caves along the coastline.

Economy

Although the islets themselves are barely habitable, the Exclusive Economic Zone surrounding them has rich fishing grounds and possible reserves of natural gas. As of 2006, no gas has been found. A wide variety of fish as well seaweed, kelp, sea slugs, and clams are found around the Liancourt Rocks. The major catches are squid, Alaskan pollack, codfish, and octopi. There are 102 species of seaweed, although not many of these are of economic interest.

Until the 1940s, fur seals were observed on the Liancourt Rocks.

There are around 37 South Korean police, Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Fisheries personnel, a married Korean couple (whose occupation is fishing), and three lighthouse keepers living on Liancourt Rocks. In addition to officials, several civilian fishermen have actually lived on the islets.

Tourism

Because of its status as a nature reserve, prior to 2003, special permits were issued by the South Korean Ministry of Tourism for tourists of the Liancourt Rocks if they wanted to land on the islets rather than just circling them. In 2003, there were 1507 tourists, in 2004, 1597. The visitors to the Liancourt Rocks come by boat from Ulleung-do.

In 2005, the first wedding ceremony was held on the Liancourt Rocks. The couple chose the location to protest against Japanese claims over the islets.

Climate

Due to its location, the weather at the Liancourt Rocks can be rough. At times ships are unable to dock because of strong northwestern winds in winter. The climate is warm and humid, but heavily influenced by the warm currents in the sea. Precipitation is high all year round, with snow occurring occasionally, adding to 1324mm a year. Fog is a common sight on the Liancourt Rocks. In summer southernly winds dominate. The water around the rocks is about 10 degrees Celsius in spring, when the water is coolest. It reaches about 25 degrees Celsius in August, when it is warmest.

Ecology

Like Ulleung-do, the Liancourt Rocks are volcanic rocks, with only a thin layer of soil and moss. The volcanic rocks of the Liancourt Rocks and Ulleung-do are so similar that their radioisotopes cannot be differentiated. About 80 species of plant, over 22 different species of birds, as well as 37 different kinds of insects have been recorded on the islets, in addition to the local maritime life.

Since the early 1970s, over 11,000 trees, and some flowers, have been planted along with the indigenous flora and fauna. (Trees are required under international law for the islets to be recognized as natural islands rather than reefs.)

The Liancourt Rocks are declared "Natural Monument #336" by South Korea. The islets are home to fork-tailed petrel, streaked shearwater, and black-tailed gulls. Some of these organisms, such as a number of cormophytes, cannot be found on Ulleung-do.

While the Liancourt Rocks are home to some birds, the rocks also provide temporarty refuge to migrating and nesting birds: fork-tailed petrels, streaked shearwaters, and black-tailed gulls all breed on the rocks. The population of all the breeding birds counted on the rocks has been declining in recent years.

In 1999, the islets were designated a special environmental protected area. The Liancourt Rocks predate any other Korean volcanic islands, including Ulleung-do.

Strategic location

The Liancourt Rocks are of importance not only for economic reasons, but also for military reasons. Over time, the Liancourt Rocks served sometimes as a military base, most notably during the Russo-Japanese War. The South Korean government has built a radar station on the Liancourt Rocks, enabling it to track the naval forces of Russia, Japan, and North Korea.

History

Korea and Japan have a long, complex history of cultural exchange, war, and political rivalry (see: Korean-Japanese disputes). The Liancourt Rocks are the last disputed territory between Korea and Japan following World War II.

In 1145, Samguk Sagi (History of Three Kingdoms of Korea) records that the Usan-guk was conquered and "re-integrated" into Silla in 512. However, Samguk Sagi itself only mentions an Usan state, not two islands of Ulleung and Usan. Other records, such as Sejong Sillok, Goryeosa and Mangi Yoram, describe Usan-guk as consisting of Ulleung-do and Usan-do.

Joseon Period

In 1432, geographical records from Sejong Sillok (the chronicle of King Sejong) mentions Usan-do, 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 the Liancourt Rocks. Japanese scholars interpret the latter part as "come into view ." They argue that Usan-do refers to Juk-do, which they say was the Korean government's interpretation in Ahn's dispute (see below). Juk-do is 4 km east of Ulleung-do, visible not only in clear weather.

In Paldo Chongdo(a complete map of the Eight Korean Provinces, 1530), Usan-do is marked as Korean territory, but drawn to the west of Ulleung-do, instead of east.

After the Seven-Year War (1592-1598) between Joseon Korea and Toyotomi Japan, Joseon barely maintained control over Ulleung-do and the Liancourt Rocks.

Takeshima Tokai Yuraiki Bassho Hikae, written by Ōya Kyuemon, records that in 1618 the Tokugawa Shogunate granted the Ōya and Murakawa families 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 Liancourt Rocks, then called in Japanese 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.

Ahn Yong-bok incident

In 1693, Korean fisherman Ahn Yong-bok attempted to drive off Ōya fishermen from Ulleung-do, but was captured and taken to Japan. According to Korean records, Ahn protested to Japan's provincial governor, who confirmed in writing that the two islands are Korean. On his way back to Korea, Ahn was held by the governor of Tsushima Island, but the Tokugawa Shogunate ordered Ahn's release. According to Japanese records, the provincial governor reported the incident to the Tokugawa Shogunate, which warned Korea to tighten the control of Korean "transgressors".

In 1694, Korea warned Japan to back off from Ulleung-do, and Japan prohibited Japanese vessels from going to Ulleung-do. In 1696, Ahn sailed to Ulleung-do and the Liancourt Rocks again, disguised as a naval officer, and expelled the Japanese, taking them back to Japan. In Japan, Ahn had the Tokugawa Shogunate confirm in writing that Ulleung-do and the Liancourt Rocks were Korean possessions.

Maps and records

• Chosen Hachido-no Zu (1758) depicts Ulleung-do and the Liancourt Rocks as one big island within the Korean territory, according to Korean scholars. Some Japanese scholars believe the map only shows that Ulleung-do is a territory of Usan-guk (state).
• Sangoku Tsuran Yochi Rotei Zensu (1785) depicts as Korean territory a small island next to Ulleung-do. Korean scholars believe this to depict the Liancourt Rocks, but Japanese scholars believe it corresponds to Juk-do.
• Dae Dong Yeo Ji Do (1861), an incomplete map of Korea, includes the Liancourt Rocks, according to Korean scholars.
• Historical Geography of Great Japan (大日本地名辞書, 1900) records that when the local government of Shimane prefecture asked the Japanese Meiji government whether Takeshima would be merged into Shimane, the government in 1877 responded that Japan had no relation with Takeshima.

The inconsistent use of the names "Matsushima" and "Takeshima" in Japanese documents leaves room for continuing disputes. 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 either Takeshima, Matsushima, or entirely exclude the islets.

On October 25, 1900, the Korean Empire issued Ordinance 41, incorporating the islands of Ulleung-do, Juk-do (竹島), and Seok-do (石島) (Liancourt Rocks) into Ulleung county.

During the Russo-Japanese War and increasing Japanese control over Korea, Takeshima was proclaimed a part of Shimane prefecture in Japan under the doctrine of terra nullius on January 28, 1905. Koreans were not aware of the annexation until March 23, 1906, when it was a Japanese protectorate under the Protectorate Treaty of 1905.

Koreans were not the only ones who were unaware of Japan's incorporation of the islets under the name of Takeshima. Some Japanese maps continued to show the Liancourt Rocks as Korean territory, including Kankoku Shinchiri (New Geography of Korea), Teikoku Encyclopedia No. 134 (September 1905).

After World War II

Upon Japan's defeat and occupation by the Allies, the SCAP Instruction #677 of January 29, 1946 excluded the Liancourt Rocks from Japan's administrative authority:

For the purpose of this directive, Japan is defined to include the four main islands of Japan (Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku) and the approximately 1,000 smaller adjacent islands, including the Tsushima Islands and the Ryukyu (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 Ryukyu (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 (Ohishima) Islands, the Habomai (Hapomazo) Islands Group (including Suisho, Yuri, ?ki-yuri, ?hibotsu and Taraku Islands) and ?oikotan Island.

The instruction stated that it was not an "ultimate determination the minor islands referred to in Article 8 of the Potsdam Declaration." All islands mentioned in (a), other than the Liancourt Rocks, were returned to South Korea. Those mentioned in (b) were eventually returned to Japan. Those mentioned in (c), for the most part, remain in disputed Russian control.

Many territories under Japanese possession during World War II were given up by the Treaty of Peace with Japan (Treaty of San Francisco) signed in 1951:

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 .

Japan argues that the Liancourt Rocks are not named because the parties accepted Japan's claim over the islets. 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 the Liancourt Rocks from Japanese territory remains in effect.

In 1951, the U.S. Air Force requested and received permission from Korea to use the Liancourt Rocks for military exercises.

The United States maintains a policy of non-recognition for claims by either side. Several private memoranda recorded in the Foreign Relations of the United States between 1949 and 1951 appear to side with Japan's view and are occasionally called "proof" of American support. However, 1951 CIA documents show that the U.S. was opposed to Japan's claim, supporting the South Korean position at the time of the San Francisco Peace Treaty.

Armed confrontation

South Korean President Syngman Rhee's (Peace Line) declaration of January 18, 1952, included the Liancourt Rocks as Korean territory. On January 12, 1953, South Korea ordered its army to enforce its claim on the islets, and on April 20, South Korean volunteer coastguardsmen set up camp.

On June 27, 1953, 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 July 12, 1953. Similar incidents occurred on April 21 and August 24, 1954.

In September 1954, Japan protested and suggested arbitration action at the International Court of Justice, but the offer was rejected by South Korea. After the incidents, in 1954, South Korea built a lighthouse and a helicopter landing pad on the islet, which it has administered ever since.

The issue of sovereignty over the islets was omitted from the 1965 Basic Relations Treaty.

Current situation

The dispute occasionally resurfaces, such as when South Korea built a wharf on the islands in 1996 and declared the islands a Natural Monument in 2002, spurred by a controversial Japanese textbook that called 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. Most Japanese people are not as aware of the dispute.

In 2005, Japan's Shimane prefecture designated February 22 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 Yi Jong Mu's conquest of the Tsushima Island in 1419.

Over 900 Korean citizens list the islands as their residence, while over 2,000 Japanese do the same. However, only two people, a married Korean couple, are actual permanent residents. Korean telecom service providers have also installed stations on the islands to cover the islands in the Korean wireless telephone network.. There is also regular ferry service from Ulleung-do.

2006 Japanese maritime survey

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In April, 2006, Japan dispatched two ships to the islets to conduct a maritime survey near the islets, without first formally notifying the South Korean government. In response, the South Korean government dispatched eighteen patrol ships to the islets, warning Japan not to go through with its plans. The South Korean foreign minister Ban Ki-Moon emphasized that Seoul was "preparing countermeasures for all scenarios," leading some in the South Korean media to speculate that the South Korean military may try to capture the Japanese ships.

South Korea maintained that the proposed maritime survey would encroach on its EEZ surrounding the islets, and that such a move must be accompanied by advance notice according to international law. For its part, Japan denied any attempt to enter the Korean EEZ, stating that all activities would take place inside its own waters. Because of the competing claims to the islets, both Japan and South Korea have claimed the area in which the hydrological survey would be conducted as part of their EEZ. On April 19, 2006, the Korea Times reported that South Korean officials viewed the Japanese actions as an attempt to bring the dispute over the islets to the international courts. On April 20, 2006, the Korean government refused to take the matter to the international courts of justice. The Japanese officials stated that the maritime survey ship would not enter the islets on April 20, as previously planned, but it would still go about its original course if no diplomatic agreement was reached between the two governments.

On April 20, 2006, the Japan Times and the Chosun Ilbo 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 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.

See also

• Korean-Japanese disputes

External links

• South Korean government's perspective on Dokdo via Korea.net
• Cyber Dokdo: a web page by the Gyeongsangbuk province, South Korea
• Takeshima is Japanese territory: a web page by the Shimane Prefectural Government, Japan
• Japan's position on Takeshima by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• The Territorial Dispute Over Dokdo, compiled by Mark S. Lovmo
• Tokdo or Takeshima? The International Law of Territorial Acquisition in the Japan-Korea Island Dispute, Sean Fern, Stanford Journal of East Asian Affairs, Volume 5 Number 1 (Winter 2005), pp.78-89 (PDF)

References

• Gyongsangbuk-do (2001). Cyber Dokdo. Retrieved 9 January, 2006.
• DKB News. UL1.jpg. Retrieved 9 January, 2006.
• Korea.net (1999–2006). Dokdo: A Profile. Retrieved 9 January, 2006.
• Korea.net (1999–2006). History of Dokdo. Retrieved 9 January, 2006.
• Korea.net (1999–2006). Dokdo: Inhabitants and Visitors. Retrieved 9 January, 2006.
• Truth of Dokdo. Story of Dokdo. Retrieved 9 January, 2006.
• Truth of Dokdo. Importance of Dokdo. Retrieved 9 January, 2006.
• 매경인터넷 독도 부부 '1호' 탄생. Retrieved 9 January, 2006.
• Cyber Dokdo Residents of Dokdo. Retrieved 18 January, 2006.
• Tour 2 Korea Dokdo Tour. Retrieved 18 January, 2006.
• Korea Times Dokdo Hosts First Civilians in a Decade. Retrieved 22 February, 2006.

• Current events
• Islands of South Korea
• Islands of Japan
• Disputed territories
• Disputed waters
• Japanese-Korean relations