Diplomatic disputes between Japan and South Korea concerning the ownership of the Takeshima Islands, which have lasted for decades, continue to strain political relations and raise important questions in the court of public opinion.
The islands, which are known by many names (Japan calls them Takeshima; South Korea calls them Dokdo), consist of two main islands and about 30 smaller rocks surrounding them. The islands and rocks continue to fuel arguments between the two nations as to which one has rightful claim to the territory.
Both South Korea and Japan contend each has established historical ties to the island grouping. Japan’s Foreign Ministry has stated that the country established sovereignty over the islands in the mid-17th century, claiming it’s sailors used it as a navigational and docking point for their ships. Contrarily, South Korea claims Japan recognized Dokdo as a Korean territory in 1696, after an exchange between fisherman from the two countries. Japan also claims it incorporated the island grouping into modern-day Shimane prefecture in 1905.
According to the Japanese government, South Korea acted illegally by declaring the islands its territory in 1952 law. A South Korean coastguard detachment has been stationed at the islands since 1954. Japan argues South Korea occupied the territory on no basis of international law and violated terms outlined in the San Francisco Peace Treaty. Both sides continue to defend their positions concerning the matter.
It’s reported that people expected U.S President Barrack Obama, who attended the U.S.-Korean Summit in South Korea in 2014, to weigh in on the matter when asked about it. To the dismay of many, the issue was never brought up and some say it’s because South Korea knew that the U.S. wouldn’t agree with the occupation.
Although the U.S. has military alliances with both nations, there have been documents that have attracted the attention of many. These documents, also known as the “MacArthur memos,” were written by General Douglas MacArthur. The memos claim that the South Koreans were illegally seizing Japanese fishing outside of their territory and that the U.S. should apply pressure on the South Korean government to return the Takashima Islands to Japan.
The current Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has asked the South Korean government to appear at the International Court of Justice and return sovereignty of the island grouping. Unfortunately, South Korea continues to refuse.
The islands continue to be an abundant fishing area and it’s reported that there are gas reserves nearby. Unfortunately, the islands continue to also symbolize the historical grievances between Japan and South Korea, which date back to Japan’s lengthy colonization of South Korea. Sadly, the issue tarnishes South Korea’s reputation in the international community as much as Korean comfort women do.
In 2005, Japan’s Shimane prefecture arranged a dedicated “Takeshima Day,” prompting protects from the South Korean opposition. In 2008, the issue flared again when Japanese educators insisted on calling the islands Takeshima in their classrooms and teaching kids to call them that. Current textbooks not only refer to the islands as the Takeshima Islands, but they also highlight the dispute between the two nations. Japan states it’s important children learn about this history.
The most recent incident that brought the issue back to the forefront of the front pages of the newspaper occurred in 2012. Japan filed a formal diplomatic protect with the South Korean government after a citizen crashed his truck into its embassy in Seoul to protest Japan’s claim to the islands. Since then, the people of both nations have continued to discuss and debate the issue with no mutual agreement or resolution in sight.
Although U.S. President Obama and other world leaders haven’t stepped up to take a stance on the issue, the international community is waiting to see if the two nearby nations will come to a compromise and finally put this dispute to rest. Japan and South Korea’s relationship might one day heavily depend on it.
What are your thoughts on the Takeshima Islands? Do you side with Japan or South Korea? Leave a comment below to voice your opinion on the important matter.
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