Liancourt Rock Dispute Background Papers
1. Background Information
The Liancourt Rock dispute is territorial dispute between Japan and
South Korea. Japan and South Korea both claim sovereignty over the
islets in the Japan Sea. Originally, South Korea was granted the
sovereignty over the Liancourt Rock in 1954 by the Korean Coast
Guard. However, Japan began to claim sovereignty after the United
States form in the Rusk documents. Also, a factor in the dispute is an
unclear history as to who claimed the land first. Considering the
failure of addressing this dispute in the peace treaty between Japan
and South Korea, Japan propositioned a reference to the International
Court of Justice, however South Korea declined such a proposal and
believe the Liancourt Rocks was a remaining part of their territory.
Ultimately, this dispute remains unresolved and no longer a part of
neither judicial nor diplomatic negotiations.
2. Glossary
Dokdo Takeshima (Korean): Liancourt Rocks
Ullenugdo Island: South Korean territory north of Liancourt Rocks
Oki Islands: Japanese islands to the south of Liancourt Rocks
3. History
i.
1904 Japan-Korea treaty- stipulates that Korean receives full
sovereignty and that Korea grants full facilities to sponsor the
action of Japan and if circumstances require, Japan make
occupy such locations for strategic reasons.
ii.
1905 Japanese Incorporation of Liancourt Rocks- Japan
incorporated Liancourt Rocks due to three movies that include;
civilian occupation, practical necessities due to armed conflict,
and Japans foreign policy involving westward expansion.
iii.
Proposal to ICJ rejected- In September 1952 and March 1962,
Japan proposed that the dispute shall be proposed to the ICJ,
however, such proposals were rejected by Korea.
iv.
1965 Treaty on Basic Relations- recognized the dispute over
these territories and claimed that resolutions will de dealt with
in the future, both nations can use Liancourt Rocks for fishing
with in mapped out boundaries, South Korea will not increase
police presents nor build facilities and finally, both countries
will uphold this agreement.
v.
Recent conflict- on April 5, 2006 South Korean President
proclaimed that Japan’s claim over Liancourt Rocks means the
pursuit of land as a result of imperial invasion and its
sovereignty is a part of South Korea.
vi.
Japanese proposal to settle before ICJ- in 2012, South Korea
once again rejected the referral of this dispute to ICJ.
4. Current Status
Currently, South Korea and Japan have not resolved this dispute nor
had the dispute been a case submitted to the ICJ regarding a
resolution. Although tourists are allowed to enter, special permits are
required and each government has a set of rules regarding the
territory.
5. Summary
The Liancourt Rock dispute is a territorial dispute between South
Korea and Japan in reference to the sovereignty of the land. Both
nations believe they are rightful possessors of the land due to an
unclear historical past, lack of representation in treaties and declines
for a resolution in the International Court of Justice. Furthermore, as
of today, no resolutions have solved the conflict and the land remains
not a part of either nation.
6. Citation
http://www.dokdo-takeshima.com/
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-19207086