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| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| Japan claims the first actual occupation over the island by Japanese fishermen in the 17th century, while there was no Korean presence until the 20th century. | |||
| 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 |
Upon Japan's defeat and occupation by the ], ] Instruction #677 of ], ] excluded the islands from Japan's administrative authority. However, the instruction specifically stated that it was not an 'ultimate determination' of the islands' fate. The ] ], which settled 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 ], ], 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== | ||
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| 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 |
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 islets were 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 02:42, 7 March 2004
The Liancourt Rocks (Korean: Dokdo 독도, Japanese: Takeshima 竹島) are islets in the Sea of Japan (aka the East Sea of Korea), claimed by both South Korea and Japan but occupied by South Korea since 1953.
History
Japan claims the first actual occupation over the island by Japanese fishermen in the 17th century, while there was no Korean presence until the 20th century.
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 stated that it was not an 'ultimate determination' of the islands' fate. The 1952 Treaty of San Francisco, which settled 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 islets were part of their country. Korea shows the islets in all of their official maps, and includes them in weather forecasts as well.