Disputed
island Other names: Ieodo or Iŏdo (이어도/離於島) Parangdo or P'arangdo (파랑도/波浪島) Suyan Rock (苏岩礁) |
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Socotra Rock location map | |
Geography | |
Location | East China Sea |
Coordinates | 32°07′22.63″N 125°10′56.81″E / 32.1229528°N 125.1824472°E |
Total islands | 1 |
Major islands | none |
Highest point | unnamed location below sea level -4.6 metres (−15.0918635170600 ft) |
Administered by | |
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Claimed by | |
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Demographics | |
Population | none permanent |
Socotra Rock Coordinates: 32°07′22.63″N 125°10′56.81″E / 32.1229528°N 125.1824472°E is a submerged rock 4.6 meters (15 ft) below sea level (at low tide) located in the East China Sea. The rock is the subject of a territorial dispute between South Korea, which considers it to lie within its exclusive economic zone, referring to it as Ieodo (이어도/離於島; MR: Iŏdo) or Parangdo (파랑도/波浪島; MR: P'arangdo)[1], and China, which considers it to lie within its exclusive economic zone and refers to it as Suyan Rock (苏岩礁). The rock currently serves as the foundation for the Korean Ieodo Ocean Research Station.[2] A helipad is also located there to allow the research station to be serviced.
The rock is located 149 km (93 miles) southwest of Marado, Korea.
For Japan, Torishima (鳥島) Island, which is 275 kilometers (172 miles) away, is the closest territory to Socotra Rock; and for China, Yushandao (余山島) Island [2], 287 kilometers (178 miles) away, is nearest to Socotra Rock.
Contents |
A possible reference to the rock exists in the ancient Chinese book Shan Hai Jing, which mentions a "Su Rock" in the East China Sea. However, it is unclear if this refers to Socotra Rock, since the book includes mythological material. There is also no evidence that the island was ever inhabited.
Both "Parangdo" and "Ieodo" are names for the mythical island residents of Jeju island believed to house the spirits of fishermen who perished at sea. historically its considered as korean territory. and The South Korean government has asserted a direct connection between these legends and the modern-day rock, claiming that the traditional saying that "one who sees Parangdo can never return" refers to the danger facing sailors when high waves allow the rock to break the surface.[1][3] Socotra Rock's Korean name was officially designated as "Ieodo" on January 26, 2001 by the Korea Institute of Geology.[4] However, it is unclear if 'Ieodo' was Socotra Rock. Also, it is not evident that the underwater reef was occupied by South Korea in old times.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a submerged reef can not be claimed as territory by any country. However, China and South Korea dispute which is entitled to claim it as part of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). If the rock lies within the Chinese EEZ, then South Korea's construction activities there would have been in breach of Article 60 of the Convention on the Law of the Sea.
In September 2006, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters that China objects to South Korea's "unilateral" activities in the region, referring to Korean government-built observation facilities on this reef island, which the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman has claimed to be "illegal". It was reported in Korea that "Spokesman Qin Gang mentioned that the two countries never had a territorial dispute over the island."[8] On the other hand, Chinese reports notes that Qin Gang said the two countries never had a "territorial dispute," not mentioning any islands.[9]
Image Links
Territorial disputes in East, South, and Southeast Asia | |||
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Type | Territory | Currently Administered by | Claimants |
Land: | Aksai Chin | ![]() |
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Baekdu Mountain | ![]() ![]() |
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Heixiazi/Bolshoy Ussuriysky (Eastern part)2 | ![]() ![]() |
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Indo-Bangladesh enclaves3 | ![]() ![]() |
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Kashmir3 | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Kachin State | ![]() |
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Kayin State | ![]() |
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Korean Peninsula and its adjacent islands3 | ![]() ![]() |
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Mainland China | ![]() |
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Mongolia | ![]() |
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Pamir Mountains3 | ![]() ![]() |
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Pattani | ![]() |
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North Borneo (Sabah)2 | ![]() |
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Shan State | ![]() |
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Sixty-Four Villages East of the River2 | ![]() |
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South Tibet/Arunachal Pradesh | ![]() |
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Tannu Uriankhai (now Tuva Republic of Russia)2 | ![]() |
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Tibet | ![]() |
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Trans-Karakoram Tract | ![]() |
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Wa State | ![]() |
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Islands and Waters: | Kinmen | ![]() |
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Kori Creek2 | ![]() ![]() |
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Liancourt Rocks | ![]() |
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Macclesfield Bank | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Matsu | ![]() |
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Paracel Islands | ![]() |
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South Ledge | ![]() |
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Pratas Islands | ![]() |
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Scarborough Shoal | ![]() |
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Senkaku Islands | ![]() |
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Socotra Rock | ![]() |
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Southern Kuril Islands | ![]() |
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Spratly Islands3 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Taiwan and Penghu2 | ![]() |
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Notes: | 1Government in
exile/exiled group. 2Inactive dispute. 3Divided among multiple claimants. |
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