Dokdo is a small island located in East Sea, the sea between Korea and Japanese archipelago. It has two main islands and it has 89 surrounding islets. Japan contend to use 'Takeshima' for the island's name, with following historical facts.
-In 19th century, imperialist countries flocked to Asia and coerced countries to open ports. Japan also opened its door under American pressure. Some years later, Japan use the similar way that America used, and finally tried to colonize the Joseon Dynasty(Korea). At that time, Korea was an arena for competition between stronger nations such as Japan, China, and Russia. In 1905, Japan waged war against Russia(Russo-Japanese War), and during the war, it illegally incorporated Dokdo as its territory.
Japan until now contend Dokdo as their territory according to this. However, history and archive materials tells the truth.
Historical Evidence/International Law(You can find more if you visit Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. http://dokdo.mofa.go.kr/eng/index.jsp)
-Ancient documents of Japan
1. The Tottori-han¡¯s Submission(1695)
Japanese Edo Shogunate asked Tottori-han, a province of Japan, whether Dokdo and Ulleungdo(a Korean island near Dokdo) are part of tottori-han. Tottori-han responded that the two islands don¡¯t belong to it. Thereby, this document confirms that Dokdo is not a japanese territory.
2. The Dajokan Order(1877)
Dajokan is the highest administrative body of Japan at this period. The Dajokan Order proves that Dokdo is outside of Japanese territory. After the negotiation with Joseon Dynasty, it declared that Dokdo has nothing to do with Japan.
-Ancient documents of Korea
1. The Geography Section of the Annals of King Sejong¡¯s Reign(1454)
This compilation suggests that Dokdo belonged to the Ul-jin county of Gangwon province. Also, this clearly pinpoints the location of Dokdo.
2. Imperial Decree No.41(1900)
Article 2 of this decree clearly stipulated that Uldo county has jurisdiction over all of Ulleungdo, Jukdo(another island of Korea) and Dokdo.
History cannot be changed. Numerous evidence of Korea and Japan back up Korea¡¯s jurisdiction over Dokdo.
Treaty of Peace with Japan(Treaty of San Francisco) Article 2(1952)
(a) Japan, recognizing the independence of Korea, renounces all right, title, and claim to Korea, including the islands of Quelpart(Jeju), Port Hamilton(Komundo) and Dagelet(Ulleungdo).
Lee line(1952)
The first president of Korea, Seung-man Lee, declared 'Lee line' around waters off Dokdo islets as a territorial limits. The line was not met with opposition form the allied nations, which can also be interpreted as the agreement.
Japanese Prime Minister Ordinance No.24 and the Finance Minister Ordinance No.4(1951)
The implied recognition by the establishment of the Japanese Government ¡¯s Ordinances, (i) Japanese Government could not assert any contradictory assertions to the recognition of the Korean territorial sovereignty over Dokdo according to the principle of estoppel. (ii) The implied recognition by the Ordinances serve to prove the territorial sovereignty over Dokdo belongs to Korea. and (iii) The implied recognition by the Ordinances turned the relative title to Korea to the better relative title or absolute title to Korea.