[thunder_chunky]

A Japanese defense report released today reiterates the country's claims to a small chain of islands that South Korea also claims as its own.

A diplomatic showdown between Japan and South Korea is heating up over group of tiny rock outcroppings in the Japan Sea.

Japan released its 2011 defense report today, reiterating its claim to a chain of small islands (see map here) also claimed by South Korea.

The document comes a day after South Korea denied three Japanese lawmakers entry into the country. The three intended to visit Ulleung Island, the South Korean island closest to the disputed chain, known as the Dokdo Islands in South Korea and the Takeshima Islands in Japan. South Korean officials told the lawmakers that the visit could "trigger actions that would threaten public safety," the Japan Times reports.

The topic is so sensitive that even the talk of a visit launched protests in South Korea.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reports that the Japanese lawmakers' trip to Ulleung Island was seen as an attempt to bolster Japanese claims to the disputed island chain and that their entry was denied based on immigration laws that allow the government to ban people from entry who threaten the country's interests or public safety.

Yo****aka Shindo of Japan's main opposition group, the Liberal Democratic Party, warned that turning away them away would become "a big diplomatic problem," according to the Japan Times. "Takeshima is Japanese territory," Mr. Shindo said at the airport. "Our positions are different and we need to talk to each other on the issue."

Japan has long claimed the islets as its own, but South Korea says they were returned to them after South Korea won independence from Japan in 1945. The feud was mostly dormant until this June, when Korean Air conducted a test flight of a new aircraft over the islets, according to CNN. Japan responded by banning its citizens from flying the airline.

Yonhap reports:

"The government's consistent and firm position is that Dokdo is our territory in terms of history, geography and international law," a ministry official told reporters on the condition of anonymity. "From this perspective, I deeply regret the fact that the Japanese government has again included unreasonable claims to Dokdo in this year's defense white paper, which are unhelpful to our bilateral relations."

This year's defense paper repeats the same phrase that has been included since 2005, claiming that "the territorial issue of the Northern Territories and Takeshima, which are proper to Japan, remains in an unresolved state."

A former Korean ambassador to Japan says that the Japanese lawmakers' visit was a move meant to bolster their domestic political standing. The conservative opposition hopes to convince the Japanese public that the ruling party isn't tough enough to protect the country's interests in territorial disputes, the Korea Times reports.

A South Korean politician also sought to project himself as the strongest protector of his country's rights. The minister for special affairs, Lee Jae-oh, rumored to be running for president in the next election, visited Ulleung Island "to send an unmistakable message that Korea owns Dokdo."

While politicians in both countries posture over the dispute, the South Korean government has tried to keep the diplomatic row a quiet one out of concern that an angry or violent response would undermine their claims to Dokdo, according to the Korea Times.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/terro...th-South-Korea

(Original post by terza021)
QFA

(Original post by tinytadpoletim)
QFA

[DayneD89]

The history of these islands can be traced back to the three kingdoms of Korea. In 512 CE these islands (then known as Usan-do) were controled by Usan-guk, which was taken over by Silla, one of the longest running dynesties in asian history.

Samguk Sagi records this in 1145. Samguk Sagi is the oldest known history of the Korean lands.

The Taejong-Sillok in 1417 also records a visit to these islands, though they are now called Usando. Japan has argued that Usando refers to Ulleung-do rather than Dokdo, however the The Sejong-Sillok in 1432 states: "Usando and Mureungdo (the former name of Ulleungdo), in the sea due east of Uljin Prefecture, are close enough to each other to be mutually visible in clear weather at the top of the mountain". Ulleungdo is the closest Korean island to Dokdo at 87km, and Dokdo can be seen from Ulleungdo on a clear day. The closest Japanese islands are 157km away, and Dokdo can not be seen from these islands, regardless of weather conditions, at any time of year.

In 1481 The Dong'guk yeoji seungnam, in defining Korea's territory, stated that "Usando and Ulleungdo are under the jurisdiction of Uljin-hyeon of Gangwon-do as an administrative unit.", another clear example that the name Usando does not refer to Ullengdo.

Japan has also claimed that the Taejong-Sillok refers not to Dokdo, but rather to Jukdo, and interprits the Sejong-Sillok as saying that the islands can be seen from the mainland of Korea on a mountain and on a clear day rather than from Ullengdo. This is wishful interpritation and a bending of the facts however as Jukdo is only 2km away from Ullengdo, and can be seen regardless of altitude or weather condition. As a final point here, Ulleung-Do Sajuk (written around the same period) also states that Usando is about 120 kilometers away from Ulleung-Do.

I have concentrated on the ancient history of these Korean islands, but if Japan wishes to continue it's claim the DPRK will be more than happy to show why these islands have always been a part of Korea.

[OOC] That took a lot of research, which was fun I'm not translating it into Korean this time as all the Korean names would be awkward to get right. Best I don't attempt this one [/OOC]

[terza021]

Japan wont back down from these claims, since we are island country we need to get our land as close as possible to the mainland so we can trade easily and in a case of War to have base as nearest distance as possible.

OOC: I really want to see that proof Dayne :P

[DayneD89]

(Original post by terza021)
Japan wont back down from these claims, since we are island country we need to get our land as close as possible to the mainland so we can trade easily and in a case of War to have base as nearest distance as possible.

OOC: I really want to see that proof Dayne :P

Once again we see Japan trying to claim lands that simply are not hers. If Japan has any valid claim to these Korean lands we would like to see it, otherwise we ask Japan to back up their claims.

We have shown that these have been Korean lands since the early 1st century, the DPRK would like to see the claims of Japan.

I may write up the more modern history of these islands from a Korean perspective if I have time tomowow

[thunder_chunky]

(Original post by DayneD89)

I may write up the more modern history of these islands from a Korean perspective if I have time tomowow

In spoiler tags I hope




Anyway good effort so far everyone! Keep it up!

[jakemittle]

This is a regional issue and as such, Nigeria will stay out of it, but hopes that a solution can be found.

[Isometrix]

Belgium follows Nigeria's stance and also wishes to remain as a neutral in this affair. We believe this is a matter that should be resolved between S.Korea and Japan themselves and international interference would only slow down the process and create further friction.

[AspiringGenius]

The USA feels it is unnacceptable for Japan to claim these territories in regards to their Korean history, and urges them to withdraw their claim.