Japanese Territory

Period documents that the ROK claims as proof:

The ROK claims, using Korean period documents, that it has been aware of the two islands of Utsuryo Island and Usan Island for centuries, and that Usan Island is none other than the current Takeshima. However, no proof has been found for the ROK's claim that the Usan Island in Korean period documents is in fact the current Takeshima.

For example, in Sejong Sillok, Jiriji (Geography Section of the Annals of King Sejong's Reign: 1454) and Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam (Revised and Augmented Edition of the Survey of the Geography of Korea: 1531), the ROK claims that the two islands of Usan and Utsuryo are listed as being in the sea to the east of the prefecture of Uljin, which means that this Usan Island is Takeshima. However, Sejong Sillok, Jiriji notes that “In the Shilla Period, it was called Usan Province. It was also called Utsuryo Island. The land is a hundred square ri.” (新羅時称于山国一云欝陵島地方百里), and in Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam it is referred to in the following: “In one theory, Usan and Utsuryo are originally the same island. Its area is a hundred square ri." (一説于山欝陵本一島地方百里). These documents do not contain anything specific regarding Usan Island; they contain only writings concerning Utsuryo Island. There are also Korean documents that clearly show that Usan Island is not the current Takeshima. For example, Volume 33 of the Annals of King Taejong, covering February of the 17th year of his reign (1417), contains the statement that “Royal Inspector Kim In-u returned from Usan Island and brought local products as tribute, including large bamboos […]. He also brought back three residents of the place. There were about fifteen families living on the island for a total of 86 men and women.” (按撫使金麟雨還自于山島獻土産大竹水牛皮生苧綿子撿撲木等物且率居人三名以来其島戸凡十五口男女并八十六) However, there is no bamboo on Takeshima, nor could 86 people live there.

The ROK claims that the Dongguk Munheon Bigo (Reference Compilation of Documents on Korea: 1770) and other documents which state “Utsuryo and Usan are all land belonging to Usan Province, and Usan is called Matsushima in Japan,” but these documents dating from the 18th century or later are based on an unreliable statement by a man named Ahn Yong-bok who had illegally entered Japan in 1696 (refer to Q&A (3)). In addition, although editors of documents in the 18th and 19th centuries may have written “Usan is called Matsushima in Japan,” this does not mean that the “Usan” mentioned in the 15th century Sejong Sillok Jiriji (Geographical Appendix to the Veritable Records of King Sejong) or the 16th century Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam (A Revised Edition of the Augmented Survey of the Geography of Korea) is in fact Takeshima.

Period maps that the ROK claims as proof*:

The ROK also insists that Korean maps dating from the 16th century show Takeshima as Usan Island, but the Usan Island shown on Korean maps to date is not Takeshima.

* Note that in terms of international law, maps that are not associated with treaties are not considered to be a basis for territorial claims, and even maps associated with treaties have only a supplementary meaning as the intent of the treaty signers is expressed in the main text.

For example, the map attached to Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam (Revised and Augmented Edition of the Survey of the Geography of Korea), “The Map of Eight Provinces of Korea,” shows the two islands of Utsuryo Island and “Usan Island.” If “Usan Island” is assumed as Takeshima, as the ROK claims, then this island should have been depicted as an island far to the east of, and much smaller than, Utsuryo Island. However, the “Usan Island” in this map is between the Korean peninsula and Utsuryo Island, and is shown to be about the same size as Utsuryo Island. Therefore, the “Usan Island” in the Map of Eight Provinces of Korea is either Utsuryo Island shown as two islands, or a non-existent island, and not Takeshima, which is far to the east of Utsuryo Island.

In maps of Korea dating from the 18th century, Usan Island appears to the east of Utsuryo Island. However, this Usan Island is not the current Takeshima.

For example, in the Utsuryo Island Map connected with Bak Seok-chang's inspection tour of Utsuryo Island in 1711, “Usan Island” is shown to the east of Utsuryo Island, but there is a note there that reads “the so-called Usan Island, field(s) of haejang bamboo.” This haejang bamboo or “Simon bamboo” is a type of bamboo grass, but as the rocky islands of Takeshima are unable to grow this sort of vegetation, this Usan Island cannot be Takeshima. Note that haejang bamboo grows on Jukdo,* an island about 2 km to the east of Utsuryo Island. This suggests that the “Usan Island” shown in the Utsuryo Island Map is in fact Jukdo.

Note: Jukdo is a small island about 2 km east of Utsuryo Island

The noted Korean cartographer, Kim Jeong-ho, created a map called the Cheonggudo in 1834, which in the Utsuryo Island Map shows a long, narrow island called “Usan” to the east of Utsuryo Island.

This map includes distance markings (one distance marking is ten Korean ri, about 4 km) on all four sides, so distances are clear. From the fact that the island is only shown about 2 or 3 km from Utsuryo Island, and from its shape, it is clearly Jukdo, which is about 2 km to the east of Utsuryo Island (and not Takeshima, which is about 90 km away).

In other words, the “Usan” shown on maps of Korea from the 18th century is probably Jukdo.

Maps which showed Jukdo, about 2 km to the east of Utsuryo Island, as “Usan” were created in the modern era. The Daehanjeondo, printed by the Academic Editorial Bureau of the Korean Empire in 1899, is a modern map with lines of latitude and longitude, and it too shows “Usan” right by Utsuryo Island. This “Usan” is also Jukdo, and not the current Takeshima.

Recognition of Takeshima (Recognition of Takeshima in Korea)

◎Supplemental 1: Ahn Yong-bok does not represent Korea.

It is clear from the following points that Ahn Yong-bok did not represent Korea.

Ahn Yong-bok's trip to Japan is evaluated as follows in the Annals of King Sukjong.

“The Dongnae government official Yi [Sejae世載] told the king that the emissary from Tsushima asked, ‘A man of your country attempted to charge us with a complaint: is this the doings of your court?’ (去秋貴国人有呈単事出於朝令耶). In response to this, Yi stated that ‘If there is something to explain here, an official interpreter will be sent to Edo, and there is no reason we would send a fisherman, as if we were afraid (若有可弁送一訳於江戸顧何所憚而乃送狂蠢浦民耶). […] The Border Defense Council of Joseon stated that ‘…the government of Korea has nothing to do with what ignorant people who are blown by the winds may say.’ (…至於漂風愚民設有所作為亦非朝家所知) The reply to this effect to the Tsushima emissary was conferred over, and the king gave his consent(請以此言及館倭允之).” (From Sukjong 23rd year)

The Korean dynasty’s repudiation was passed on to Japan in a letter sent to the lord of Tsushima Domain from Yi Seon-bak, Deputy Vice-Minister for Protocol:

“With regard to the man who drifted ashore last year, those who live on the seaside make their living sailing, and when caught in a storm, they are immediately driven before the waves to arrive at your country (昨年漂氓事濱海之人率以舟楫為業颿風焱忽易及飄盪以至冒越重溟轉入貴国). [..] If there was a charge laid by him, he committed crime of forging a letter (…若其呈書誠有妄作之罪). Therefore we have already exiled him in accordance with the law (故已施幽殛之典以為懲戢之地).”

Note: Tsushima Domain was the only official route for diplomacy and trade between Japan and Korea in the Edo period.

Ahn Yong-bok’s boat was flying a flag which read “Taxation General of the Two Islands of Utsuryo Island, Joseon. Vassal Ahn on Board,” and Ahn styled himself “Tax Inspector for the Two Islands of Utsuryo and Usan.” This title was made up, and Ahn himself admitted this identity fraud. The “Tax Inspector” or “Auditor-General” that Ahn Yong-bok called himself referred to a tax collector for the islands of Utsuryo and Usan. Ahn apparently believed that Usan Island was a large populated island.

◎Supplemental 2: Credibility of Ahn Yong-bok's statements

There are numerous discrepancies in Ahn Yong-bok's statements, making themunreliable.

Ahn Yong-bok came to Japan twice. The first time was in 1693, when he was taken to Japan as proof that there was no fishing to be had around Utsuryo Island (called “Takeshima” in Japan at the time). The second time was in 1696, when he smuggled himself to Japan to lodge a protest with Tottori Domain, and was expelled by the domain. Ahn’s statements recorded in the Annals of King Sukjong are a summary of the written statements made when he was interrogated by the Border Defense Council of Joseon on his return. According to this summary, when Ahn first came to Japan, he obtained a letter from the shogunate stating that Utsuryo Island and Usan Island were Korean territory, but Tsushima domain took it from him. However, negotiations between Japan and Korea over fishing around Utsuryo Island began when Ahn was taken back to Japan and repatriated via Tsushima Domain, so the Tokugawa shogunate would never have given him a letter saying that Utsuryo Island and Usan Island were Korean territory when he came over in 1693, before such negotiations were started.

In addition, when Ahn Yong-bok came to Japan in May 1696, he stated that there was a large number of Japanese on Utsuryo Island. However, in January, the sea travel licenses granted to the Ohya and Murakawa families were repealed, because the shogunate had already decided to ban passage to Utsuryo Island and passed the directive on to Tottori Domain. The ROK claims that the shogunate decided to forbid travel to Utsuryo Island as a result of Ahn’s visit to Japan in 1696, but Ahn arrived four months after the shogunate forbade travel to the island.

Ahn Yong-bok was interrogated on his return to Korea. It is recorded that he said to the Japanese, “Matsushima is Jasan (Usan) Island and therefore also our country’s land, why do you dare live there?” (松島即子山島、此亦我国地、汝敢住此耶). That year, there were no Japanese travelling to Utsuryo Island, so this story cannot be true. It seems that Ahn Yong-bok believed that people could live on Usan Island. When he went fishing at Utsuryo Island in 1693, he was told by his companions that the island to the north-east of Utsuryo Island was Usan Island (Takeshimakiji), and when he was taken to Japan, he said that he saw “a large island, much bigger than Utsuryo Island” (Byeonrye Jibyo). Ahn said, “Matsushima is Jasan (Usan) Island.” It is assumed that he learned the name “Matsushima” (today’s Takeshima) during his stay in Japan, and connected it with Usan Island which was traditionally drawn in Korean picture maps. However, saying that “Matsushima is Jasan Island” is, in terms of names, not actually referring to today’s Takeshima.

Recognition of Takeshima (Recognition of Takeshima in Korea)

Prohibition of Passage to Utsuryo Island (Statement by Ahn Yong-Bok and Questions Raised)

Recognition of Takeshima (Recognition of Takeshima inKorea)

Q&A (2) Is Takeshima mentioned in Korean period documents or maps in the ROK?

The Incorporation of Takeshima into Shimane Prefecture 5. and 6.

Treatment of Takeshima in the San Francisco Peace Treaty

◎Supplemental 1: SCAPIN No. 677

In January 1946, the General Headquarters for the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers ordered the Japanese government to provisionally cease exercising or attempting to exercise political or administrative authority over certain outlying areas based on SCAPIN No.677. Paragraph 3 of the directive provides that “For the purpose of this directive, Japan is defined to include the four main islands of Japan (Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku) and the approximately 1,000 smaller adjacent islands, including the Tsushima Islands and the Ryukyu (Nansei) Islands north of 30° North Latitude (excluding Kuchinoshima Island).”The directive then listed Takeshima along with Utsuryo Island, Jeju Island, the Izu Islands, the Ogasawara Islands, etc. as the areas “excluded.”

However, Paragraph 6 of the directive clearly states that “Nothing in this directive shall be construed as an indication of Allied policy relating to the ultimate determination of the minor islands referred to in Article 8 of the Potsdam Declaration.” (Article 8 of the Potsdam Declaration: “…Japanese sovereignty shall be limited to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and such minor islands as we determine.”) The claim of the ROK completely ignores this.

◎Supplemental 2: SCAPIN No. 1033

In June 1946, SCAP expanded the area authorized for Japan's fishing and whaling (the so-called “MacArthur Line”) by SCAPIN No. 1033. Paragraph 3 of the directive stipulates that “Japanese vessels or personnel thereof will not approach closer than twelve (12) miles to Takeshima (37°15' North Latitude, 131°53' East Longitude) nor have any contact with said island.”

However, Paragraph 5 of the directive explicitly provides that “The present authorization is not an expression of allied policy relative to ultimate determination of national jurisdiction, international boundaries or fishing rights in the area concerned or in any other area.” The claim of the ROK completely ignores this as well.

The MacArthur Line was abolished on April 25th, 1952, and with the San Francisco Peace Treaty coming into force three days later, on the 28th of April, the directives for cessation of governmental authority necessarily became invalid.