Lines of Evidence for Territorial Claims to Liancourt Rocks

Toponym Dokdo (Korean) 독도 – Rock Island, Lonely (solitary) Island Takeshima (Japanese) 竹島 – Bamboo Island

Which toponym seems to best describe the Island?

Visibility Image taken from Korean Island of Ulleungdo

Visibility D = H×( )/984 H: observer's eye height(m), h: object's elevation(m), D: distance(km)

Distance

Occupancy South Korea has continuously occupied the island since In 1954, Korean forces built a lighthouse. Jong Duk Choi was the first registered resident of Dokdo. As a resident of Ulleungdo Island, he moved to Dokdo in March 1965 to gather seafood in the common fishing ground of Dodong. He began modernizing facilities in May When Japan began to claim their ownership of Dokdo in 1980, he moved his permanent address to Dokdo on October 14, 1981, saying, "I will show them that a Korean is living in Dokdo.“ (

Occupancy Four decades ago, fisherman Kim Seong-do came to this tiny outcropping known as the lonely island in search of solitude and a good catch. He moved into a cave here in 1971, scratching out a desolate existence on what South Korea calls Dokdo, whose two treeless islets rise from the water like shark's teeth, battered by fierce winter storms. Scaling its seaside cliffs, Kim found a freshwater spring reachable only by a rope strung up a 250-foot-high rock face. (Glionna, John M., “South Korea's Fierce Island Guard,” Los Angeles Times, August 04, 2011)

Japanese on Takeshima Takeshima Fishery Company around (Photo: From “A Historical-Geographical Study of Takeshima” by Kenzo Kawakami; Kokon Shoin) Japanese fishermen actively involved in fishing on and around Takeshima. (1930s) (Photo: Private collection, provided by the “Takeshima Archives Room” of the Shimane Prefectural Government)

History Numerous maps and documents clearly demonstrate that Japan has recognized the existence of Takeshima for centuries. In the early 17th century, Japanese merchants were given permission for passage to Utsuryo Island by the Japanese government, and they used Takeshima as a navigational port for ships on their way to Utsuryo Island as well as a ground to catch sea lions and other marine resources. Japan established sovereignty over Takeshima by the mid 17th century. In the early 1900s, residents of the islands of Shimane Prefecture called for a stable situation to conduct their sea lion hunting business. The Japanese government incorporated Takeshima into Shimane Prefecture in January 1905, following by a Cabinet decision. By doing so, the Japanese government reaffirmed its sovereignty over Takeshima. ( paci/takeshima/index.html)

History In the year 1877 Shimane Prefecture (of Japan)inquired to the Home Ministry if Ulleungdo and another island (Dokdo) should be placed under their administrative control. The purpose of this inquiry was to determine which territories were included before mapping Japan. The Japanese Meiji Government Inquiry Documents and Translation The document reads as follows: “…Inquiry regarding the compilation of the cadastre for Takeshima and “another island” in the Sea of Japan…” “…Shimane Prefecture sent us an inquiry for a judgement on the jurisdiction of Takeshima as per attachments and this ministry has examined the matter. Regarding the islands in question, they are known to have nothing to do with our country as per documents prepared in the first month of the 9th year of the Genruko (1696) after the entry of the Koreans into the island. 1. the purport of the deliberation by the former government 2. notification of the official interpretor translator 3. the official letter from the country involved 4. our country’s reply and report. In other words by the 12th year of the Genroku, the exchange of instruments had been completed. However, the acquisition or derelection of a territory being of great importance, we request your instruction on this question with the papers attached hereto. March 17th 10th year of Meiji. Acting for the Minister of Home Affairs Okubo Toshimichi, Vice Minister of Home Affairs Meijima Hisoka…” The Dajokan’s (Japan’s Highest Authority’s) Response The answer to the inquiry read as follows: “…Regarding Takeshima and “other island” it is to be understood that our country has nothing to do with them…” (

Historical Maps 17 th Century Map of Japan shows Oki Islands, but not Takeshima

Historical Maps 1894 Japanese produced map of Korea shows Dokdo as part of Korea

Treaty The Treaty of San Francisco or San Francisco Peace Treaty between the Allied Powers and Japan, was officially signed by 49 nations on September 8, 1951 in San Francisco, California. It came into force on April 28, It is a popularly known name, but its formal English name is “Treaty of Peace with Japan.”

Treaty Early Draft of the San Francisco Peace Treaty between Korea and Japan

Treaty Letter from the then United States Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs, Dean Rusk, of August

Treaty The final San Francisco treaty does not mention Dokdo/Takeshima : CHAPTER II TERRITORY “..Article 2 (a) Japan recognizing the independence of Korea, renounces all right, title and claim to Korea, including the islands of Quelpart, Port Hamilton and Dagelet. (b) Japan renounces all right, title and claim to Formosa and the Pescadores. (c) Japan renounces all right, title and claim to the Kurile Islands, and to that portion of Sakhalin and the islands adjacent to it over which Japan acquired sovereignty as a consequence of the Treaty of Portsmouth of 5 September (d) Japan renounces all right, title and claim in connection with the League of Nations Mandate System, and accepts the action of the United Nations Security Council of 2 April 1947, extending the trusteeship system to the Pacific Islands formerly under mandate to Japan. (e) Japan renounces all claim to any right or title to or interest in connection with any part of the Antarctic area, whether deriving from the activities of Japanese nationals or otherwise. (f) Japan renounces all right, title and claim to the Spratly Islands and to the Paracel Islands…”