Liancourt Rocks facts for kids
Location of the Liancourt Rocks in the Sea of Japan between Japan and South Korea
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Sea of Japan |
| Coordinates | 37°14′30″N 131°52′0″E / 37.24167°N 131.86667°E |
| Total islands | 91 (37 permanent land) |
| Major islands | East Islet, West Islet |
| Area | 18.745 ha (46.32 acres) East Islet: 7.33 hectares (18.1 acres) West Islet: 8.864 hectares (21.90 acres) |
| Highest elevation | 169 m (554 ft) |
| Highest point | West Islet |
| Administration | |
| County | Ulleung County, North Gyeongsang |
| Town | Okinoshima, Shimane (Japan) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Approximately 34 |
The Liancourt Rocks are a small group of islands in the Sea of Japan. They are located between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. South Korea manages these islands. In Korea, they are called Dokdo (Korean: 독도), which means 'solitary islands'. In Japan, they are known as Takeshima (Japanese: 竹島), meaning 'bamboo islands'.
The waters around the Liancourt Rocks are great for fishing. They might also have large amounts of natural gas hidden beneath the sea. The name 'Liancourt Rocks' comes from a French whaling ship called Le Liancourt. This ship almost crashed into the rocks in 1849.
Even though South Korea controls these islands, Japan also claims them. North Korea also believes these islands belong to Korea. This means there is a disagreement about who owns the Liancourt Rocks.
Contents
- Where in the World Are They? (Geography)
- Size
- Volcanic Origin
- How Far Away Are They?
- What's the Weather Like? (Climate)
- Who Lives There? (Ecology)
- Environmental Protection
- Who Has Lived There? (History and Demographics)
- Current Population
- Visiting the Liancourt Rocks
- Different Views on Ownership (Sovereignty)
- See also
Where in the World Are They? (Geography)
Imagine a map of the ocean between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. That's where you'll find the Liancourt Rocks.
The Liancourt Rocks consist of two main islets and about 35 smaller rocks and reefs. The Western Islet (called Seodo in Korean and Ojima in Japanese) is the bigger one, with a wider base and a taller peak. The Eastern Islet (called Dongdo in Korean and Mejima in Japanese) has more flat space and is like the "female island."
Size
All together, these islands are quite small, with a total surface area of about 19 hectares (that's about 47 acres, or roughly the size of 35 football fields).
The highest point is on the Western Islet, reaching about 168.5 meters (or 553 feet) above the sea. That's taller than a 50-story building!
Volcanic Origin
These islands are actually ancient volcanoes. They were formed a very, very long time ago, between 4.6 and 2.5 million years ago. Geologists say they are slowly eroding away, which means the wind and waves are gradually wearing them down.
The waters around the Liancourt Rocks are fantastic fishing grounds, and scientists think there might even be large amounts of natural gas hidden deep beneath the seabed!
How Far Away Are They?
The Liancourt Rocks are like a stepping stone in the middle of the sea!
- From Korea: The closest Korean island is Ulleungdo, which is about 87.4 kilometers (54 miles) away.
- From Japan: The closest Japanese island, Oki Islands, is about 157 kilometers (97 miles) away.
- From Mainlands: The Liancourt Rocks are about 216.8 kilometers (135 miles) from mainland South Korea and 211 kilometers (131 miles) from the main island of Japan (Honshu).
What's the Weather Like? (Climate)
Because they are small and out in the open ocean, the weather on the Liancourt Rocks can be quite dramatic.
It's generally warm and humid, with a lot of rain throughout the year. Sometimes it even snows. Fog is also very common.
The ocean around the Liancourt Rocks can get very rough. If the waves are too big (more than 3 to 5 meters high), ferries can't land. This means that on average, ferries can only dock about once every forty days.
The sea water is coldest in early spring, around 10°C (50°F), and warms up to about 24°C (75°F) in late summer.
Who Lives There? (Ecology)
Even though they are small, the Liancourt Rocks are home to many plants and animals!
The islands have a thin layer of soil, mostly covered in moss. About 49 different kinds of plants grow there. Some trees have been planted since the 1970s, and recently, ten old spindle trees (100-120 years old!) were discovered.
It's a busy place for birds, with 107 different species, and 93 types of insects! The surrounding ocean is also full of life, with 160 kinds of algae and 368 types of invertebrates (animals without backbones, like crabs and starfish).
Big ocean animals like minke whales, orcas (killer whales), and dolphins are known to swim through these waters.
Environmental Protection
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Because the Liancourt Rocks are so important for their unique plants, geology, and wildlife, South Korea officially named the place a Natural Monument in November 1982. This was because they are a breeding ground for certain birds, including band-rumped storm petrels, streaked shearwaters, and black-tailed gulls.
Pollution Concerns
There are worries about pollution in the seas around the Liancourt Rocks. The system that cleans sewage water on the islets has not worked well. This means sewage from the people living there, like the South Korean Coast Guards and lighthouse staff, has been dumped directly into the ocean.
This pollution has caused problems. The seawater has turned milky white, and sea plants are dying. Coral reefs are also becoming calcified, which means they are hardening and dying. This pollution is also causing a loss of different kinds of plants and animals in the surrounding seas. In 2004, about eight tons of smelly waste were being dumped into the ocean every day. Since then, groups have worked to reduce the pollution around the Rocks.
Who Has Lived There? (History and Demographics)
People have been interested in the Liancourt Rocks for a long time. In the 1800s, American and French whaling ships used to hunt for whales near the rocks.
First Residents
In March 1965, a man named Choi Jong-duk moved from a nearby island to the Liancourt Rocks to fish for octopus. He officially changed his address to the Liancourt Rocks in 1981, becoming the first person to officially live there! He passed away on the island in 1987. Later, in 1991, a couple named Kim Sung-do and Kim Shin-yeol moved to the islands. Mr. Kim Sung-do passed away in 2018, so as of a recent count in October 2025, Kim Shin-yeol is the last civilian resident still living on the islands!
Buildings and Facilities
South Korea has built several structures on the Liancourt Rocks. By 2009, the islands had a lighthouse, a place for helicopters to land, and a police station. In 2007, two desalination plants were built. These plants can produce 28 tons of clean water every day. Both of South Korea's main phone companies have also put up cell phone towers on the islets.
Current Population
As of October 2025, besides the civilian resident, there are also three office staff members, two lighthouse managers, and about twenty police personnel living on the islets.
Visiting the Liancourt Rocks
While it's a nature reserve, tourists can visit! In 2022, over 280,000 tourists visited the islands, averaging about 500 visitors per day. Ferries take people to the islands, but only up to 70 tourists can land at one time.
Different Views on Ownership (Sovereignty)
The Liancourt Rocks are a special place because different countries have different ideas about who they belong to.
- South Korea's View: South Korea believes Dokdo has always been part of its territory, based on old maps and historical records that mention an island called Usando.
- Japan's View: Japan also believes the islands are theirs, and they have their own historical records and maps to support their claim.
- North Korea's View: North Korea also claims the islands as part of Korea.
Current Situation: Even with these different views, South Korea currently manages and takes care of the islands.
See also
In Spanish: Rocas de Liancourt para niños
 | William L. Dawson |
 | W. E. B. Du Bois |
 | Harry Belafonte |
