Geographically, Dokdo is located 87.4 km from Ulleungdo of Korea and 157.5km from the Oki Islands of Japan. Dokdo is visible to the naked eye from Ulleungdo, but not from the Oki Islands.

[Map of Dokdo’s surrounding areas]

[View of Dokdo from Ulleungdo]

Historically, Korea has been aware of Dokdo's existence since the sixth century, whereas Japan only began to know about Dokdo from the seventeenth century. This can be confirmed through a number of Japanese historical records and old maps which acknowledge that Dokdo is not part of Japan's territory.




[Daijō-kan Order]





[Mangi Yoram]

From the standpoint of international law, the Korean Empire legally proclaimed Dokdo as its territory in Imperial Decree No. 41 (1900), stipulating that Dokdo is under the jurisdiction of Ulleungdo. Later, Japan's Shiname Prefecture illegally incorporated Dokdo into its territory by issuing Notice No. 40 (1905).




[Korean Imperial Decree No. 41]





[SCAPIN No. 677]

The “East Sea” is a geographic designation Koreans have been using for over 2,000 years. Unfortunately, the widespread use of the name "Sea of Japan" started settling in the international community around the time of Japan's colonial rule over Korea and persists to date. This is why efforts are currently being made to internationally reinstate the geographic name "East Sea" for the waters where Dokdo stands.




[Samguk Sagi]





[Gwanggaeto Stele]

Unequivocally, Dokdo in the East Sea is the rightful territory of the Republic of Korea from the standpoint of geography, history, and international law.