The Liancourt Rocks,[2] also known by their Korean name of Dokdo (Korean: 독도)[a] or their Japanese name of Takeshima,[b] 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,[c] the name of a French whaling ship that came close to being wrecked on the rocks in 1849.[6]
The West island (top) and the East island (bottom)
The Liancourt Rocks consist of two main islets and numerous surrounding rocks. The two main islets, called Seodo (서도; 西島; lit. western island) and Dongdo (동도; 東島; lit. 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]
Tourism
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 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]
Climate
The Liancourt Rocks viewed from the North
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.[d] 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]
Pollution and environmental destruction
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. In 2004, a malfunction in the sewage water treatment system established on the islets caused sewage produced by inhabitants of the Liancourt Rocks, such as South Korean Coast Guards and lighthouse staff, to be dumped directly into the ocean. Significant water pollution was observed; sea water turned milky white, sea vegetation died, and coral reefs were calcified. The pollution also caused 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 reduce the level of pollution surrounding the Rocks.
Construction
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]
History
Japanese map depicting the Liancourt Rocks in "Matsushima Ezu(松嶋絵図)", 1656, (Tottori Prefecture)
The base that houses South Korean police guards on the Liancourt Rocks' East Islet
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 octopus 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][36]
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.[37] Tour companies charge around 350,000 Korean won per person (about US$310 as of 2019[update]).[38]
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 Usando (우산도; 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.[e] The first printed usage of the name Dokdo was in a Japanese log book in 1904.[39]
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.[40]
South Korean stamps depicting the Liancourt Rocks from 1954
A South Korean police boat approaches the dock on the Liancourt Rocks' East Islet.
^"Such description ... rather reminds us of Utsuryo Island" (para. 2); "A study ... criticizes ... that Usan Island and Utsuryo Island are two names for one island." (para. 3); and "that island does not exist at all in reality" (para. 4 – "10 Issues of Takeshima, MOFA (Article 2)"(PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan). February 2008. p. 4. Archived from the original(PDF) on 13 September 2008.
^Fern 2005, p. 78: "Since the end of World War II, Japan and Korea have contested ownership of these islets, given the name Liancourt Rocks by French whalers in the mid-1800s and called that by neutral observers to this day".
^울릉군리의명칭과구역에관한조례 [개정 2000. 4. 7 조례 제1395호] [Act 1395 amending Chapter 14-2, Ri-Administration under Ulleung County, Local Autonomy Law, Ulleung County] (in Korean). "2000년 4월 7일 울릉군조례 제1395호로 독도리가 신설됨에 따라 독도의 행정구역이 종전의 경상북도 울릉군 울릉읍 도동리 산42～76번지에서 경상북도 울릉군 울릉읍 독도리 산1～37번지로 변경 됨." Translation: "Pursuant to Act 1395 amending Chapter 14-2, Ri-Administration under Ulleung County, Local Autonomy Law, Ulleung County, passed March 20, 2000, enacted April 7, 2000, the administrative designation of Dokdo addresses as 42 to 76, Dodong-ri, Ulleung-eup, Ulleung County, North Gyungsang Province, is changed to address 1 to 37, Dokdo-ri, Ulleung-eup, Ulleung County, North Gyungsang Province." 조회 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 1 March 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
^독도 자연생태계 정밀조사결과(요약) [A comprehensive survey of the natural ecosystems of Liancourt Rocks (synopsys)] (in Korean). Archived from the original on 22 July 2011.
^独島警備の海洋警察、網にかかったシャチ救出. K07011002J (in Japanese). Translated by Koike T.: ENVIROASIA 2007. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
^Cambria, of New Bedford, Apr. 29, 1849, Nicholson Whaling Collection; Cape Horn Pigeon, of New Bedford, Apr. 19, 1892, Kendall Whaling Museum.
^On 13 December 1997 the "Special Act on the Preservation of Ecosystem in Island Areas Including Dokdo Island" was enacted by the South Korean parliament. The title of the Natural Monument No. 336, the Dokdo Seaweed Habitat, was changed to the Dokdo National Nature Reserve in December 1999. "Dokdo in History: Chronology". The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea.
^Hong, Euny (2014). The birth of Korean cool: how one nation is conquering the world through pop culture (1st ed.). New York: Picador. ISBN978-1-250-04511-9.
Fern, Sean (Winter 2005), "Tokdo or Takeshima? The International Law of Territorial Acquisition in the Japan-Korea Island Dispute", Stanford Journal of East Asian Affairs, 5 (1)
Gyeongsangbuk-do Province (28 September 2017a), "Climate", Dokdo, Beautiful island of Korea, Korean Government
Gyeongsangbuk-do Province (28 September 2017b), "Composition", Dokdo, Beautiful island of Korea, Korean Government
Gyeongsangbuk-do Province (28 September 2017c), "Location", Dokdo, Beautiful island of Korea, Korean Government
.jpg){kind=spacer}
