Why is it in the news?
South Korea protested against the Japanese government-backed “Takeshima Day” event.
The issue relates to the sovereignty dispute over islets in the Sea of Japan.
Category: International Relations
Important Points:
● Group of small islets in Sea of Japan (East Sea)
● Located almost equidistant between Korean Peninsula and Japan
● Known as Dokdo (South Korea) and Takeshima (Japan)
● Also called Liancourt Rocks (named by French whalers in 1849)
● Consists of two main islands and about 30 smaller rocks
● South Korea currently administers the islets
● Japan claims sovereignty and considers dispute unresolved
● Sea of Japan connected to East China Sea via Tsushima & Korea Straits
● Deepest point: Dohoku Seamount (underwater volcano)