| Revision as of 21:58, 24 February 2004 view source203.109.249.138 (talk)No edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 01:43, 25 February 2004 view source Jpatokal (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Rollbackers20,263 edits moved POV material to talk page, grammar fixesNext edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| The '''Liancourt Rocks''' (]: '''Dokdo''' 독도, ]: '''Takeshima''' 竹島) are islets in the East Sea of Korea (aka ]), claimed by both ] and ] but |
The '''Liancourt Rocks''' (]: '''Dokdo''' 독도, ]: '''Takeshima''' 竹島) are islets in the East Sea of Korea (aka ]), claimed by both ] and ] but occupied by South Korea since ]. | ||
| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| The first known reference to the islands, proclaiming them a part of the independent Korean island state of ], |
The first known reference to the islands, proclaiming them a part of the independent Korean island state of ], dates from the ] in ] AD. Usanguk became protectorate of ] in ] as ] fell. According to Japanese records, the islands, then known as ''Matsushima'', were granted to the Ooya and Murakawa families of ] (modern ]) by the ] in the ]. The common ] name, Liancourt Rocks, was given by a ] whaling ship in ]. | ||
| After a request by a Japanese fisherman, on ], ] the islands under the name ''Takeshima'' were proclaimed a part of ] in ] under the doctrine of '']''. During ], the island was used as a naval base by the Imperial Japanese Navy. | After a request by a Japanese fisherman, on ], ] the islands under the name ''Takeshima'' were proclaimed a part of ] in ] under the doctrine of '']''. During ], the island was used as a naval base by the Imperial Japanese Navy. | ||
| Upon Japan's defeat and occupation by the ], ] Instruction #677 of ], ] excluded the islands from Japan's administrative authority. However, the instruction specifically disclaimed that it was not an 'ultimate determination' of the islands' fate. The ] ], which settling sovereignty of most other disputed islands, did not mention the islands. | Upon Japan's defeat and occupation by the ], ] Instruction #677 of ], ] excluded the islands from Japan's administrative authority. However, the instruction specifically disclaimed that it was not an 'ultimate determination' of the islands' fate. The ] ], which settling the sovereignty of most other disputed islands, did not mention the islands. | ||
| On ], ], South Korean volunteer coast guards set up camp on the island. On ], ], two Japanese coast guard vessels landed on the East Islet, drove off the Korean guards and set up a territorial marker, but did not attempt permanent occupation. The Koreans soon returned and several armed skirmishes followed, |
On ], ], South Korean volunteer coast guards set up camp on the island. On ], ], two Japanese coast guard vessels landed on the East Islet, drove off the Korean guards and set up a territorial marker, but did not attempt permanent occupation. The Koreans soon returned and several armed skirmishes followed, leading to the sinking of a Japanese ship by Korean mortar fire on ], ]. Japan protested and suggested arbitration at the ], but the offer was rejected by South Korea. After the incident, South Korea built a ] and ] landing pad on the islet, which it has occupied ever since. | ||
| ==Current Situation== | ==Current Situation== | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
| The issue of sovereignty over the islands was omitted from the 1965 ], and both sides maintain territorial claims. The ] maintains a policy of non-recognition for claims by either side. | The issue of sovereignty over the islands was omitted from the 1965 ], and both sides maintain territorial claims. The ] maintains a policy of non-recognition for claims by either side. | ||
| The dispute has periodically flared up again, typically when South Korea acts to change the islets or their status (for example, building a wharf in ] or declaring them a national park in ]), resulting in a reassertion of the territorial claim by Japan. In 2002, two Japanese textbooks questioning ]'s claim to the islets was published, leading to protests in ] |
The dispute has periodically flared up again, typically when South Korea acts to change the islets or their status (for example, building a wharf in ] or declaring them a national park in ]), resulting in a reassertion of the territorial claim by Japan. In 2002, two Japanese textbooks questioning ]'s claim to the islets was published, leading to protests in ]. | ||
| In a survey performed in both countries, the level of interest in ] in relation to the islets were substantially lower, whereas over 99% of people surveyed in ] believed that the islet was part of their country. |
In a survey performed in both countries, the level of interest in ] in relation to the islets were substantially lower, whereas over 99% of people surveyed in ] believed that the islet was part of their country. Korea shows the islets in all of their official maps, and includes them in weather forecasts as well. | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 01:43, 25 February 2004
The Liancourt Rocks (Korean: Dokdo 독도, Japanese: Takeshima 竹島) are islets in the East Sea of Korea (aka Sea of Japan), claimed by both South Korea and Japan but occupied by South Korea since 1953.
History
The first known reference to the islands, proclaiming them a part of the independent Korean island state of Usanguk, dates from the Silla Dynasty in 512 AD. Usanguk became protectorate of Goryeo in 930 as Silla fell. According to Japanese records, the islands, then known as Matsushima, were granted to the Ooya and Murakawa families of Hoki province (modern Tottori) by the Tokugawa Shogunate in the 1650s. The common English name, Liancourt Rocks, was given by a French whaling ship in 1849.
After a request by a Japanese fisherman, on February 22, 1905 the islands under the name Takeshima were proclaimed a part of Shimane prefecture in Japan under the doctrine of terra nullius. During World War II, the island was used as a naval base by the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Upon Japan's defeat and occupation by the Allies, SCAP Instruction #677 of January 29, 1946 excluded the islands from Japan's administrative authority. However, the instruction specifically disclaimed that it was not an 'ultimate determination' of the islands' fate. The 1952 Treaty of San Francisco, which settling the sovereignty of most other disputed islands, did not mention the islands.
On April 20, 1953, South Korean volunteer coast guards set up camp on the island. On June 27, 1953, two Japanese coast guard vessels landed on the East Islet, drove off the Korean guards and set up a territorial marker, but did not attempt permanent occupation. The Koreans soon returned and several armed skirmishes followed, leading to the sinking of a Japanese ship by Korean mortar fire on April 21, 1954. Japan protested and suggested arbitration at the International Court of Justice, but the offer was rejected by South Korea. After the incident, South Korea built a lighthouse and helicopter landing pad on the islet, which it has occupied ever since.
Current Situation
The issue of sovereignty over the islands was omitted from the 1965 Basic Relations Treaty, and both sides maintain territorial claims. The United States maintains a policy of non-recognition for claims by either side.
The dispute has periodically flared up again, typically when South Korea acts to change the islets or their status (for example, building a wharf in 1996 or declaring them a national park in 2004), resulting in a reassertion of the territorial claim by Japan. In 2002, two Japanese textbooks questioning Korea's claim to the islets was published, leading to protests in South Korea.
In a survey performed in both countries, the level of interest in Japan in relation to the islets were substantially lower, whereas over 99% of people surveyed in Korea believed that the islet was part of their country. Korea shows the islets in all of their official maps, and includes them in weather forecasts as well.