The Island and Maritime Disputes in the East Sea/Sea of Japan

Abstract

South Korea has recalled ambassadors only four times in its modern history – three times from Japan. The latest recall in July 2008 followed Japan’s renewed claim to the Dokdo Islands in a new guideline for junior high school teachers and textbook publishers. The islands are de facto controlled by South Korea, but Japan does not recognize South Korea’s de jure sovereignty over the islands.1 The Lee Myung-bak administration, which has made improving ties with Japan a major policy goal, said it was an “intolerable act” that Japan restated its territorial claim (The New York Times, July 15, 2008).