Liancourt Rocks Dispute - 1965 Treaty On Basic Relations

1965 Treaty On Basic Relations

In 1965, the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea was signed which recognized the Liancourt Rocks dispute. The conditions in the treaty pertaining to the Liancourt Rocks were as follows:

1. Both countries will recognize that the other claims the islets as their own territory, and neither side would object when the other made a counterargument. They agreed to regard it as a problem that would have to be resolved in the future.
2. If any fishing territories are demarcated in the future, both countries can use the Liancourt Rocks as their own territory to mark the boundaries. Those places where the two lines overlapped would be considered joint territory.
3. The status quo in which South Korea occupies the islets will be maintained, but the Koreans would not increase their police presence or build new facilities.
4. Both countries will uphold this agreement.

The Joongang Ilbo reported in 2007 that this portion of the treaty was ordered destroyed by Chun Doo-hwan in the 1980s.