Liancourt Rocks dispute Liancourt Rocks dispute The Liancourt Rocks dispute is a territorial dispute between South Korea and Japan. Both countries claim sovereignty over the Liancourt Rocks, a group of small islets in the Sea of Japan which are referred to as "Dokdo" () in Korean and in Japanese. North Korea also claims sovereignty of the islands. The Liancourt Rocks have been administered by South Korea since 1954 by the Korea Coast Guard. This action was taken after the United States stated in the Rusk documents that the Japanese claim to the Liancourt Rocks would not be renounced in their peace treaty with
Liancourt Rocks based on references to an island called "Usan-do" (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 Korean view, these refer to today's Liancourt Rocks. North Korea and South Korea agree that the islands are Korean territory and reject Japan's claim. Liancourt Rocks The Liancourt Rocks are a group of small islets in the Sea of Japan. While South Korea controls the islets, its sovereignty over them is contested by Japan. South Korea classifies the islets as Dokdo-ri, Ulleung-eup, Ulleung County,