Dokdo is Korean territory under international law. Imperial Ordinance No. 41, issued in 1900 by the imperial government of Korea (the Great Han Empire), placed Dokdo under the jurisdiction of the Ulleungdo County Office. Historical evidence clearly shows that Dokdo has never been an unoccupied land (¡°terra nullius¡±), and Japan¡¯s alleged incorporation of it is therefore null and void under international law
A series of official documents issued by the Japanese government, including the ¡°Takeshima Incident¡± dated 1696, Chosenkoku Kosaishimatsu Naitansho of 1870 and a document issued by the Japanese Council of State in 1877, officially recognized that Dokdo was not a part of Japanese territory. 4. It is established beyond any doubt that Dokdo has continued to be an integral part of Korean territory and, therefore, the questions over its legal status are not subject to international adjudication, arbitration or any other means of dispute settlement. That Dokdo is Korean sovereign territory is a fact beyond doubt, and there is no legal uncertainty regarding its territorial status. Thus, the questions over its legal status are not subject to international adjudication, arbitration or any other means of dispute settlement.