The Liancourt Rocks, also referred to as Dokdo in Korean or Takeshima in Japanese, constitute a cluster of islets positioned in the Sea of Japan, situated between the Korean peninsula and the Japanese archipelago. These islets are under the administration of South Korea, consisting of two main islets and 35 smaller rocks. The combined surface area of the islets is 0.187554 square kilometers (46.346 acres), with the highest point being 168.5 meters (553 ft) on the West Islet. They are located in a region abundant with fishing resources and potentially significant natural gas deposits. The name "Liancourt Rocks" in English originates from the French whaling ship Le Liancourt, which nearly ran aground on the rocks in 1849. Though South Korea exercises control over the islets, their sovereignty is disputed by Japan, and North Korea also lays claim to the territory. South Korea designates the islets as Dokdo-ri, Ulleung-eup, Ulleung County, North Gyeongsang Province, while Japan categorizes them as part of Okinoshima, Oki District, Shimane Prefecture.

Liancourt Rocks - Wikipedia