Disputed islands | |
---|---|
Other names | Liancourt Islets, Liancourt Islands, Takeshima, Dokdo, Tok Islets, Hornet Islands, Kajido, Sambongdo |
Geography | |
Location | Sea of Japan |
Coordinates | 37°14′30″N131°52′0″E / 37.24167°N 131.86667°E |
Total islands | 91 (37 permanent land) |
Major islands | East Islet, West Islet |
Area | 18.745 ha (46.32 acres) East Islet: 7.33 hectares (18.1 acres) West Islet: 8.864 hectares (21.90 acres) |
Highest elevation | 169 m (554 ft) |
Highest point | West Islet |
Administration | |
County | Ulleung County, North Gyeongsang |
Claimed by | |
Town | Okinoshima, Shimane (Japan) |
County | Ulleung County, North Gyeongsang |
Demographics | |
Population | Approximately 34 [1] |
The Liancourt Rocks, [2] also known by their Korean name of Dokdo (Korean : 독도) [lower-alpha 1] or their Japanese name of Takeshima, [lower-alpha 2] 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. [4] [ dead link ] The Liancourt Rocks lie in rich fishing grounds that may contain large deposits of natural gas. [5] The English name Liancourt Rocks is derived from Le Liancourt, [lower-alpha 3] the name of a French whaling ship that came close to being wrecked on the rocks in 1849. [6]
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, [7] while Japan classifies the islands as part of Okinoshima, Oki District, Shimane Prefecture.
The Liancourt Rocks consist of two main islets and numerous surrounding rocks. The two main islets, called Seodo (Korean : 서도; Hanja : 西 島 , "Western Island") and Dongdo (동도; 東 島 , "Eastern Island") in Korean and Ojima ( 男 島 , "Male Island") and Mejima ( 女 島 , "Female Island") in Japanese, are 151 metres (495 ft) apart. [4] 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, [4] [ dead link ] 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.[ verification needed ]
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. [4] The western islet is about 88,740 square metres (21.93 acres); the eastern islet is about 73,300 square metres (18.1 acres). [4] 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.[ verification needed ]
In 2006, a geologist reported that the islets formed 4.5 million years ago and are (in a geological sense) quickly eroding. [8]
Restricted public access to the rocks for a variety of purposes is provided by ferry from Ulleng Island. [9] In 2022, 280,312 tourists visited the islands, averaging 500 visitors per day. [1]
The Liancourt Rocks are located at about 37°14′N131°52′E / 37.233°N 131.867°E . [10] The western islet is located at 37°14′31″N131°51′55″E / 37.24194°N 131.86528°E and the Eastern Islet is located at 37°14′27″N131°52′10″E / 37.24083°N 131.86944°E .
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), [11] and the nearest Korean island, Ulleungdo, is 87.4 kilometres (47.2 nmi). [12] [11]
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. [13] 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. [14] 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.
The islets are volcanic rocks, with only a thin layer of soil and moss. [15] 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. [16] 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.[ citation needed ] Since the early 1970s trees and some types of flowers were planted.[ citation needed ] 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. [lower-alpha 4] A recent investigation, however, identified ten spindle trees aged 100–120 years. [17] [18] Cetaceans such as Minke whales, orcas, and dolphins are known to migrate through these areas. [19] [20] [21]
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. [22] [23]
There are serious pollution concerns in the seas surrounding the Liancourt Rocks. The sewage water treatment system established on the islets has malfunctioned, so sewage produced by inhabitants of the Liancourt Rocks, such as South Korean Coast Guards and lighthouse staff, is being dumped directly into the ocean. Significant water pollution has been observed; sea water has turned milky white, sea vegetation is progressively dying off, and calcification of coral reefs is spreading. The pollution is also causing loss of biodiversity in the surrounding seas. In November 2004, eight tons of malodorous sludge was being dumped into the ocean every day. [24] Efforts have since been made by both public [25] and private [26] organizations to help curb the level of pollution surrounding the Rocks.
South Korea has carried out construction work on the Liancourt Rocks; by 2009, the islands had a lighthouse, helicopter pad, [27] and a police barracks. [28] In 2007, two desalination plants were built capable of producing 28 tons of clean water every day. [29] Both of the major South Korean telecommunications companies have installed cellular telephone towers on the islets. [30]
U.S. and French whaleships cruised for right whales off the rocks between 1849 and 1892. [31]
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. [1] 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. [32]
In March 1965, Choi Jong-duk moved from the nearby Ulleungdo to the islets to make a living from 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. [33] [34] [35]
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. [36] Tour companies charge around 350,000 Korean won per person (about US$310 as of 2019 [update] ). [37]
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 Usan-do (Korean : 우산도; Hanja : 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.[ citation needed ] 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. [lower-alpha 5] The first printed usage of the name Dokdo was in a Japanese log book in 1904. [38]
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. [39]
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. [40]
The Korean Unification Flag, also known as the Flag of the Korean Peninsula, is used to represent all of Korea when North Korea and South Korea participate as one team at international sporting events. It was introduced at the 1990 Asian Games but not used by a unified team until the 1991 World Table Tennis Championships. It is a white field charged with a sky blue silhouette of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and Ulleungdo. The flag's depiction of Korean territorial claims has earned it the chagrin of Japan, which claims the Liancourt Rocks. The disputed islets were added to the flag in 2003 but removed in 2018 upon the request of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Outside of sports, the flag has been used to express support for Korean reunification in general, particularly in North Korea.
The Oki Islands is an archipelago in the Sea of Japan, the islands of which are administratively part of Oki District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. The islands have a total area of 346.1 square kilometres (133.6 sq mi). Only four of the around 180 islands are permanently inhabited. Much of the archipelago is within the borders of Daisen-Oki National Park. Due to their geological heritage, the Oki Islands were designated a UNESCO Global Geopark in September 2013.
Ulleung County is a county in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
Ulleungdo, also spelled Ulreungdo, is a South Korean island 120 kilometres east of the Korean Peninsula in the Sea of Japan, formerly known as Dagelet Island or Argonaut Island in Europe. Volcanic in origin, the rocky steep-sided island is the top of a large stratovolcano which rises from the seafloor, reaching a maximum elevation of 984 metres (3,228 ft) at Seonginbong Peak. The island is 9.5 kilometres (6 mi) in length and ten kilometres (6 mi) in width; it has an area of 72.86 km2 (28.13 sq mi). It has a population of 10,426 inhabitants.
Usan-guk, or the State of Usan, occupied Ulleung-do and the adjacent islands during the Korean Three Kingdoms period. According to the Samguk Sagi, it was conquered by the Silla general Kim Isabu in 512. He is said to have used wooden lions or tigers to intimidate the residents into surrendering. It has been written that the alias of Usan-guk is Ulleung-do. Usan-guk rarely entered into historical records, but appears to have continued a largely autonomous existence until its loss of independence to Goryeo in 930.
The Syngman Rhee Line was a marine boundary line established by South Korean President Syngman Rhee in his "Peace Line" declaration of January 18, 1952, establishing a wide area of maritime sovereignty, beyond internationally accepted territorial waters, around the entire Korean Peninsula. This included placing the Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo/Takeshima) in South Korean territory. The line was abolished in 1965 with the signing of a Japanese–South Korean fishing agreement.
The Tsushima Basin or Ulleung Basin is an oceanic basin located where the Sea of Japan meets the Korea Strait. It lies immediately south of Ulleung-do and Liancourt Rocks, in the eastern end of the South Korean EEZ and the western end of the Japanese EEZ.
The Rusk documents are the official diplomatic correspondence sent by Dean Rusk, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs, to Yang You-chan, the South Korean ambassador to the U.S. on August 10, 1951.
Jukdo is a small island in Jeodong-ri, Ulleung-myeon, Ulleung County, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is next to the island Ulleungdo in the Sea of Japan. It is also known as Jukseodo. It lies 2 km (1 mi) east of Ulleungdo, and is the largest island in the group apart from Ulleungdo itself. In 2004, one family of three members was living on the island.
Takeshima (竹島) is the Japanese name for the Liancourt Rocks.
Usan-do is a historical name for an island in the Sea of Japan described in Korean records. It was part of the ancient state of Usan-guk, but its exact identity is disputed. It may refer to:
Dokdo (독도) is the Korean name for the Liancourt Rocks.
An Yong-bok was a Korean fisherman in 17th century of Joseon Dynasty famous for his travels to Japan. His activities were instrumental in determining fishery rights in the waters of Ulleungdo and the Liancourt Rocks, two islands in the East Sea.
The Liancourt Rocks dispute, also called the Takeshima dispute or Dokdo dispute is a territorial dispute between South Korea and Japan regarding sovereignty over the Liancourt Rocks, a group of small islets in the Sea of Japan. The rocks also go by the names Dokdo and Takeshima. North Korea also claims sovereignty of the islands, but has not pursued its claim to the same extent as the other parties.
ROKS Dokdo (LPH-6111) is the lead ship of the Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship of the Republic of Korea Navy, launched on 12 July 2005 at the shipyard of Hanjin Heavy Industries & Constructions Co. in Busan. ROKS Dokdo was the flagship of the Fifth Component Flotilla of the Korean Navy until the launch of ROKS Marado in 2018. Previously, this title was held by the 9,000-ton at-sea Underway Replenishment (UNREP) support vessel ROKS Cheonji.
Dokdo Museum is the name used for two museums in Korea that relate to the Liancourt Rocks, known as Dokdo in Korean. One of the museums is located in Ulleungdo and the other, which opened later, is in Seoul.
Daehanjiji is an elementary school geography text about the Korean Empire by Hyeon Chae. Hyeon Chae wrote the book in 1899, translating and compiling Japanese and Korean sources. It was published by Gwangmun-sa, Seoul.
Japan is currently engaged in several territorial disputes with nearby countries, including Russia, South Korea, North Korea, the People's Republic of China, and the Republic of China (Taiwan).
The Dokdo Volunteer Garrison (Korean: 독도의용수비대) was a South Korean paramilitary outpost on the Liancourt Rocks. Both South Korea and Japan each claim sovereignty over the islands. The garrison was established by volunteers from Ulleungdo Island and the Korean Veterans Association, and was led by Hong Sun-chil. The garrison was a private organization that is considered to have laid the foundation for South Korea to exercise practical territorial sovereignty over the islands. According to multiple sources, including the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, the garrison engaged in several clashes against the Japan Coast Guard, and was maintained from 1953 to 1956 until South Korean police forces fully took over operations over the island.
In Japan, Takeshima Day (竹島の日) is celebrated on February 22 every year since 2005. Public events related to Takeshima are held on this day, and the day is also used to demonstrate Japan's sovereignty over the Liancourt Rocks.
South Korea
Japan