| Disputed islands Other names: Dokdo, Takeshima |
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| Location of the Liancourt Rocks in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) between South Korea and Japan | |
| Geography | |
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| Location | Sea of Japan (East Sea) |
| Coordinates | 37°14′30″N 131°52′0″E / 37.24167°N 131.866667°E |
| Total islands | 90 (37 permanent land) |
| Major islands | East Islet, West Islet |
| Area | 0.18745 square kilometres (46.32 acres) East Islet: 0.0733 square kilometres (18.1 acres) West Islet: 0.08864 square kilometres (21.90 acres) |
| Highest point | unnamed location on West Islet 169 metres (554 ft) |
| Administered by | |
 South Korea |
|
| County | Ulleung County |
| Claimed by | |
 Japan |
|
| Town | Okinoshima |
| South Korea |
|
| County | Ulleung County |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 2 + 43 support personnel (in rotation) |
| Ethnic groups | Korean |
The Liancourt Rocks, also known as Dokdo or Tokto (독도/獨島, literally "solitary island") in Korean or Takeshima (たけしま/竹島, literally "bamboo island") in Japanese,[1] are a group of small islets in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). Sovereignty over the islets is disputed between Japan and South Korea.[2] The islets are currently administered by South Korea, which has its Coast Guard stationed there.[3]
The Franco-English name of the islets derives from Le Liancourt, the name of a French whaling ship which came close to being wrecked on the rocks in 1849.[4] Both the Korean[3] and Japanese[5] names have changed over time, a testament to the historical confusion over the subject which led to today's heated dispute.
The Liancourt Rocks consist of two main islets and 35 smaller rocks. The total surface area of the islets is 0.18745 square kilometres (46.32 acres), with the highest elevation of 169 metres (554 ft) found at an unnamed location on the west islet.[6] Two Korean citizens—an octopus fisherman and his wife—are permanent residents on the islets. A small Korean police detachment, administrative personnel, and lighthouse staff are stationed in non-permanent supporting positions on the islets.[7]
South Korea administers the islets as Dokdo-ri,[8] Ulleung-eup, Ulleung County, North Gyeongsang Province. Japan classifies them as part of Okinoshima, Oki District, Shimane Prefecture.
The islets lie in rich fishing grounds which could also contain large gas deposits.[9]
Contents |
The Liancourt Rocks consist mainly of two islets, West Islet (Korean: 서도/西島 Seodo, Japanese: 男島 Otokojima or "male island") and East Islet (Korean: 동도/東島 Dongdo, Japanese: 女島 Onnajima or "female island"), 151 metres apart.[6] Of the two islets, the West Islet is the bigger, with a wider base and higher peak, while the East Islet offers more usable surface area.
Altogether, there are about 90 islets and reefs,[10] volcanic rocks formed in the Cenozoic era, more specifically 4.6 to 2.0 million years ago. A total of 37 of these islets are recognized as permanent land.[10]
The total area of the islets is about 187,450 square metres (46 acres), with their highest point at 169 metres on the West Islet (554 ft).[6] The West Islet is about 88,640 square metres in area (22 acres); the East Islet is about 73,300 square metres (18 acres).[10]
The West Islet consists of a single peak and features many caves along the coastline. The cliffs of the East Islet are about 10 to 20 metres 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 quickly eroding.[11]
Liancourt Rocks are located at about 131°52´ East longitude and about 37°14´ North latitude.[10] The West Islet is located at 37°14′31″N 131°51′55″E / 37.24194°N 131.86528°E and the East Islet is located at 37°14′27″N 131°52′10″E / 37.24083°N 131.86944°E.
Liancourt Rocks are 217 km (135 mi; 117 nm) from mainland Korea and 250 km (150 mi; 135 nm) from Japan proper.[6] Distance, elevations, and weather conditions all affect visibility of the islets.
The nearest Korean island, Ulleung-do, is 87 km away (54 mi; 47 nm), from which Liancourt Rocks are visible on a clear day in the absence of fog in the vicinity of Liancourt Rocks.[12] [13][14] The nearest Japanese island, Oki Islands, is 157 km away (98 mi; 85 nm), from which Liancourt Rocks are not visible on any day of the year regardless of weather conditions. [15][16][17]
Due to their location and extremely small size, the Liancourt Rocks sometimes have harsh weather. At times, ships are unable to dock because of strong northwestern winds in winter.[6] Overall, 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. Fog is also a common sight. In the summer, southerly winds dominate. 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.
The islets are volcanic rocks, with only a thin layer of soil and moss.[10] 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.[18] 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.[19] Since the early 1970s trees and some types of flowers were planted.[6] 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.[20][21] A recent investigation, however, identified ten spindle trees aged 100-120 years. [22][23] The presence of trees is required under international law for the islets to be recognized as natural islands rather than reefs.[7]
There are two permanent Korean citizens, Kim Sung-do (김성도) and Kim Shin-yeol (김신열), living on the islets, who make a living from fishing. In addition to these residents, there are 37 South Korean police officers (독도경비대/獨島警備隊) who take residence on guard duty. There are also three Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries personnel, and three lighthouse keepers living on the islets in rotation. In the past, several fishermen also lived on the islets temporarily. [24]
For many years, civilian travel was subject to Korean government approval because the islet group is designated as a nature reserve. Tourist boats carrying 1,597 visitors were allowed to land in 2004. Since mid-March 2005, more tourists have been allowed to land; up to 70 tourists are permitted at any one time. One ferry provides rides to the islets every day, and reportedly has a long waiting list.[25] Around 60% of visitors on the ferry are allowed to land in port on the East Islet while the rest are given a tour around the islets. En route to Liancourt Rocks, the ferry shows an animated film featuring a giant robot warding off Japanese invaders.[26] Tour companies charge around 350,000 Korean won per person (approx. 250 US dollars as of 2009).[7]
Under South Korean administration, the Liancourt Rocks have undergone heavy construction. Today, the islands house a lighthouse, a helicopter pad, a large South Korean flag visible from the air, a post box,[27] a staircase, and a police barracks.[26] In 2007, two desalinization plants were built capable of producing 28 tons of clean water every day.[19] Both of the major Korean telephone companies have installed cell phone towers on the islets.[28]
There is a serious concern for pollution in the seas surrounding Liancourt Rocks. The sewage water treatment system established on the islets has malfunctioned and sewage water produced by inhabitants of Liancourt Rocks such as South Korean Coast Guard and lighthouse staff is being dumped directly into the ocean. Significant water pollution has been observed; sea water has turned milky white, sea vegetations are progressively dying off, and calcification of coral reefs is spreading. The pollution is also causing loss of biodiversity in the surrounding seas. As of November 2004, 8 tons of malodorous sludge is dumped into the ocean every day. [29]
The Liancourt Rocks are a point of heated contention, alongside other Japan–Korea disputes. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers its position "inalterable".[30][31] When Japan's Shimane prefecture announced a "Takeshima Day" in 2005, Koreans reacted with demonstrations and protests throughout the country, extreme examples of which included a mother and son slicing off their own fingers, and a man who set himself on fire.[32] In 2006, five Korean "Dokdo Riders" embarked on a world tour to raise international awareness of the dispute.[32] Another notable protest featured South Koreans decapitating pheasants in front of the Japanese Embassy.[26]
Although claimed by both Korea and Japan, Liancourt Rocks are currently administered by the Republic of Korea. Both nations' claims extend back at least several hundred years. Significant arguments supported by a variety of historical evidence have been presented by both parties, which have been challenged by counter-arguments with varying degrees of success. [33] North Korea supports South Korea's claim.[34]
Media related to Liancourt Rocks at Wikimedia CommonsCoordinates: 37°14′30″N 131°52′00″E / 37.24167°N 131.8666667°E
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Liancourt Rocks are a group of small islands in the Sea of Japan.[1][2] The islands are currently under the South Korean police who call them Dokdo. North Korea refers to them as Tok Islet in the English language, but in Korean both Korean states use the same term. Japan claimed the islands starting from 1950's[needs proof], which calls them Takeshima. The name Liancourt Rocks comes from the French whaling ship Liancourt. The people on the Liancourt made a map of the islands in 1849.
Contents |
| Disputed islands Other names: Dokdo, Takeshima | |
|---|---|
| Geography | |
| Location | East Sea (Sea of Japan) |
| Coordinates | 37°14′30″N 131°52′0″E / 37.24167°N 131.866667°E |
| Total islands | 90 (37 permanent land) |
| Major islands | East Islet, West Islet |
| Area | 0.18745km2 |
| Administered by | |
| South Korea | |
| County | Ulleung County |
| Claimed by | |
| Japan | |
| Town | Okinoshima |
| South Korea | |
| County | Ulleung County |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 2 + 43 support personnel |
| Ethnic groups | Korean |
Tok-To consists of two islets, that are 150 metres apart.[3] These small islands are called West Islet (Korean: 서도/西島 Seodo, Japanese: 男島 Otokojima or "male island") and East Islet (Korean: 동도/東島 Dongdo, Japanese: 女島 Onnajima or "female island"). The western islet is the larger of the two islets. Altogether, there are about 90 islets and reefs[4]. The islands and rocks have a volcanic nature.[5] A total of 37 of these islets are recognized as permanent land.[4] The eastern islet formed 4.5 million years ago. Ulleungdo formed 2 million years later. Both are quickly eroding and weathering.[6]
The total area of the islets is about 187,450 square meters. Their highest point is 169 meters on the western islet. The western islet is about 88,640 square meters in area; the eastern islet about 73,300 square meters.[4] Liancourt Rocks is located at about 131°52′ East longitude and about 37°14′ North latitude.[4] The western islet is located at and the eastern islet is located at . The main islands coast lines are 217 km apart from mainland Korea and 212 km apart from main island Japan (Honshu)[7]. The nearest Korean territory (Ulleung-do) is 87 km away and can be visible on fair days;[3][8] the nearest Japanese territory (Oki Islands) is 157 km away.[4]
The western islet is made of a single peak. It has 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.[5]
40 people are staying on the islands[needs proof], several Korean telecom service providers (namely SK Telecom, KT, and LG Telecom) have also installed stations on Liancourt Rocks to cover the islets in the South Korean wireless telephone network[needs proof]. There is also regular ferry service from Ulleung-do.[9]
Although the islets themselves are barely habitable, the Exclusive Economic Zone surrounding them has rich fishing grounds and possible reserves of natural gas.[10] As of 2006, the expected reserves have not been found.[4] A wide variety of fish as well as seaweed, kelp, sea slugs, and clams are located around the islets.[5] Major fishery catches in the area are squid, Alaskan pollock, codfish, and octopus.[4][5] There are 102 species of seaweed, although many of these have no economic value.[4]
This area used to be one of the largest breeding grounds of sea lions (Zalophus californianus japonicus) and a good spot for hunting them and also a spot for obtaining abalone at the end of the Meiji period (1868-1912).[11] Until the 1950s, sea lions were observed on the islets by the voluntary guards.[12]
There are approximately 37 South Korean police that guard the islets, also there are Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Fisheries personnel, a married Korean couple(The first residents:Jong-Dok Choi) (who are fishermen), and three lighthouse keepers living on the islets[needs proof]. In the past, several fishermen also lived there.[13]
Because they are classified as a nature reserve, special permits are required for tourists to land on the islets rather than just circling them.[13] There were 1,507 and 1,597 recorded tourists in 2003 and 2004 respectively.[13] Visitors generally come by boat from Ulleung-do.[4][13]
In 2005, the first wedding ceremony was held on the islets. The South Korean couple chose the location to protest against Japanese territorial claims.[14]
Liancourt Rocks can have harsh weather conditions. This is because of its location, and small size. Sometimes, ships are unable to dock because of strong northwestern winds in winter.[3][5] The climate is warm and humid. It is heavily influenced by warm sea currents. There is a lot of rain throughout the year (annual average - 1324 mm), with occasional snowfall.[5] Fog is a common sight. In the summer, southerly winds dominate.[5] 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.[5]
Like Ulleung-do, the islets are volcanic rocks, with only a thin layer of soil and moss.[4] 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.[3]
Since the early 1970s, trees and some types of flowers were planted along with the indigenous flora and fauna.[3] (Trees are required under international law for the islets to be recognized as natural islands rather than reefs.[5][13])
Liancourt Rocks was declared "Natural Monument #336" by South Korea in the 1990s. Some birds actually live on the islands, but most are just using them as a stopover to fly elsewhere. The fork-tailed petrel, streaked shearwater, and black-tailed gulls live on the islands. The population of breeding birds counted on the rocks, however, has been declining in recent years.[5]
In 1999, the islets were designated a special environmental protected area by the South Korean government.[3] They are older than any other Korean volcanic islands, including Ulleung-do.[5]
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 the islets. 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.
The islets are of importance not only for economic reasons[needs proof], but also for military ones[needs proof]. They have occasionally served as a military base, most notably during the Russo-Japanese War. The South Korean government has built a radar station and helicopter landing pad on the islets, enabling it to track foreign naval forces[needs proof]. The 37 police on the islets serve as armed guards.[4] The dispute between South Korea and Japan over the islands has gained heat in 2008 with new Japanese school books mentioning the islands, and a visit by the South Korean Prime Minister in July. Ten years ago, no people lived on the islands. But South Korea started to populate the island to make its claim stronger.
   | Japan's position on Takeshima by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs - MOFA: Outline of the Issue of Takeshima |
| | Takeshima is Japanese territory: a web page by the Shimane Prefectural Government, Japan - Notification of changes to the homepage |
| | ''The Territorial Dispute Over Dokdo'', compiled by Mark S. Lovmo - The Territorial Dispute Over Dokdo |
| | First Written Records on Tokdo - First Written Records on Tokdo |
| | http://www.geocities.com/mlovmo/temp10.html - SCAP Instructions Pertaining to Dokdo |
| | South Koreans vent fury at Japan - BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | South Koreans vent fury at Japan |
| | Dokdo Tour - www.visitkorea.or.kr |
| | Dokdo Hosts First Civilians in a Decade - Korea Times Search |
| | "Liancourt Rocks / Takeshima / Dokdo / Tokto" - Liancourt Rocks / Takeshima / Dokdo / Tokto |
| | Japan Times - Survey flap said boils down to name game | The Japan Times Online |
| | Chosun - Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition) : Daily News in English About Korea |
| | Chosun - Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition) : Daily News in English About Korea |
| | http://www.geocities.com/mlovmo/page8.html - USAF Requested Permission from ROK PM for use of Liancourt Rocks as a Bombing Range (6/20/51) |
| | Dokdo Is Korean Territory - KF Newsletter -The Korea Foundation- |
| | Japan Twice Admitted Korean Sovereignty Over Dokdo - Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition) : Daily News in English About Korea |
| | Picture - Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition) : Daily News in English About Korea |
| | First Japanese Record on Tokdo - First Japanese Record on Tokdo |
| | Korea's Posessions - Hayashi Shihei's Sangoku Setsujozu 1785 |
| | U.S. Embassy Refutes Press Reports - U.S. Embassy Refutes Press Reports on Dokdo/Takeshima Issue (March 16, 2005) - U.S. Embassy Seoul, Korea |
| | BBC News - BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Japan asks S Korea to end survey |
| | "Japan, S. Korea to discuss notification procedure for EEZ" - ANTARA: The Indonesian News Agency |
| | Tokdo Dispute History by Kalani O'Sullivan - How It Was - Tokdo Dispute History |
| | Seoul and Tokyo hold island talks - BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Seoul and Tokyo hold island talks |
| | Korean Government Asks Japan to Give Up Claim On Dokdo - donga.com[English donga] |
| | The 1948 Bombing of Dokdo Island - Selected Research on Dokdo Island |
| | The world Fact Book - CIA - The World Factbook |
| | Legal ''Legal Issues Related to Sovereignty over Dokdo and Its Maritime Boundary''(Jan 2007), a William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, USA - Legal Issues Related to Sovereignty over Dokdo and Its Maritime Boundary - Ocean Development & International Law |
| | Japan eyes expanding EEZ to counter S. Korean proposal - Japan eyes expanding EEZ to counter S. Korean proposal | Japan Policy & Politics | Find Articles at BNET |
| | ''Polaribacter dokdonensis'' sp. nov., isolated from seawater - Polaribacter dokdonensis sp. nov., isolated from seawater -- Yoon et al. 56 (6): 1251 -- International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology |
| | ''Stenotrophomonas dokdonensis'' sp. nov., isolated from soil - Stenotrophomonas dokdonensis sp. nov., isolated from soil -- Yoon et al. 56 (6): 1363 -- International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology |
| | ''Porphyrobacter dokdonensis'' sp. nov., isolated from sea water - Porphyrobacter dokdonensis sp. nov., isolated from sea water -- Yoon et al. 56 (5): 1079 -- International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology |
| | Names for bacteria find favor Korea - INSIDE JoongAng Daily |
| | ''Variovorax dokdonensis'' sp. nov., isolated from soil - Variovorax dokdonensis sp. nov., isolated from soil -- Yoon et al. 56 (4): 811 -- International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology |
| | ''Virgibacillus dokdonensis'' sp. nov., isolated from a Korean island, Dokdo, located at the edge of the East Sea in Korea - Virgibacillus dokdonensis sp. nov., isolated from a Korean island, Dokdo, located at the edge of the East Sea in Korea -- Yoon et al. 55 (5): 1833 -- International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology |
| | ''Sphingomonas dokdonensis'' sp. nov., isolated from soil - Sphingomonas dokdonensis sp. nov., isolated from soil -- Yoon et al. 56 (9): 2165 -- International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology |
| | ''Donghaeana dokdonensis'' gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from sea water - Donghaeana dokdonensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from sea water -- Yoon et al. 56 (1): 187 -- International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology |
| | ''Isoptericola dokdonensis'' sp. nov., isolated from soil - Isoptericola dokdonensis sp. nov., isolated from soil -- Yoon et al. 56 (12): 2893 -- International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology |
| | ''Maribacter dokdonensis'' sp. nov., isolated from sea water off a Korean island, Dokdo - Maribacter dokdonensis sp. nov., isolated from sea water off a Korean island, Dokdo -- Yoon et al. 55 (5): 2051 -- International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology |
| | ''Dokdonella koreensis'' gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from soil - Dokdonella koreensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from soil -- Yoon et al. 56 (1): 145 -- International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology |
| | ''Dokdonia donghaensis'' gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from sea water - Dokdonia donghaensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from sea water -- Yoon et al. 55 (6): 2323 -- International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology |
| | ''Marinomonas dokdonensis'' sp. nov., isolated from sea water - Marinomonas dokdonensis sp. nov., isolated from sea water -- Yoon et al. 55 (6): 2303 -- International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology |
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