News: South Korea recently protested a Japanese government-backed “Takeshima Day” event, calling it an unjust assertion of sovereignty.
About Takeshima / Dokdo Islands
- It is located in the south-western part of the Sea of Japan.
- It is known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea.
- It is 215 kms from mainland Korea and 250 kms from Japan.
- It has also been known as the Liancourt Rocks, named by French whalers after their ship in 1849.
- It is a group of islands, including the two main islands, Mejima (Higashijima) Island and Ojima (Nishijima) Island and around 30 smaller rocks.
- Administration:
- It is currently administered by the Republic of Korea (ROK).
- Japan claims sovereignty over islands, and it remains a source of tension between Japan and South Korea since long time.
- Strategic and economic significance: It is located in rich fishing waters and may also contain vast reserves of natural gas hydrate.
