Dokdo Islands

The Dokdo Islands (also called Tok, Tokto, Takeshima, Liancourt rocks), are two rocky isles and 33 smaller rocks with a land area of 0.21 km². The rock group is located in the Sea of Japan between Japan and South Korea and is claimed by both countries. North Korea essentially supports the South Korean claim. South Korea bases its claim on the succession of a medieval Korean empire (until 1392) to which the islands belonged. The Japanese claim dates back to the 17th century, when the islands, then called "Matsushima" in Japan, were not explicitly accepted as Korean territory in a dispute with South Korea.

From 1905, the islands were unilaterally incorporated into Japanese territory. After Japan's defeat in World War II, the status of the islands remained unresolved. From 1952 to 1954 there were military skirmishes between South Korea and Japan. In 1954, South Korea built a lighthouse and other infrastructure on one of the islands. The islands are still inhabited by about 40 South Koreans, most of them Coast Guard employees.

The claims are essentially a symbol of national identity, especially on the South Korean side. But the islands are also economically interesting, as the associated sea area is rich in fish and gas deposits are also suspected. The conflict remains unresolved. Both states proclaim the islands as part of their own national territory in school textbooks.

Philatelically, both South Korea and North Korea repeatedly point out their claim. Japan has not issued a stamp on the subject to date. 

South Korea, 1954, Dokdo Islands

South Korea, 2004, Flora and Fauna, Dokdo Islands