Socotra Rock
Encyclopedia
Socotra Rock is a submerged rock
4.6 meters (15 ft) below sea level (at low tide) located in the East China Sea
. The rock is the subject of a territorial dispute
between South Korea
, which considers it to lie within its exclusive economic zone
, referring to it as Ieodo (이어도/離於島; MR: Iŏdo) or Parangdo (파랑도/波浪島; MR: P'arangdo), and China
, which considers it to lie within its exclusive economic zone
and refers to it as Suyan Rock (苏岩礁). The rock currently serves as the foundation for the Korean Ieodo Ocean Research Station. A helipad is also located there to allow the research station to be serviced.
The rock is located 149 km (92.6 mi) southwest of Marado
(just off Jeju island
), Korea.
For Japan, Torishima (鳥島) Island, which is 275 kilometres (170.9 mi) away, is the closest territory to Socotra Rock; and for China, Yushandao (余山島) Island , 287 kilometres (178.3 mi) away, is nearest to Socotra Rock.
book Shan Hai Jing
, which mentions a "Su Rock" in the Yellow Sea. However, it is unclear if this refers to Socotra Rock, since the book includes mythological
material. There is also no evidence that the island was ever inhabited.
Both "Parangdo" and "Ieodo" are names for the mythical island which the residents of Jeju island
believed housed the spirits of fishermen who perished at sea. The South Korean government has asserted a direct connection between these legends and the modern-day rock, claiming that the traditional saying that "one who sees Parangdo can never return" refers to the danger facing sailors when high waves allow the rock to break the surface. Socotra Rock's Korean name was officially designated as "Ieodo" on January 26, 2001 by the Korea Institute of Geology.
, a submerged reef can not be claimed as territory by any country. However, China and South Korea dispute which is entitled to claim it as part of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
In September 2006, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang (秦刚) told reporters that China objects to South Korea's "unilateral" activities in the region, referring to Korean government-built observation facilities on this reef island, which the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman has claimed to be "illegal". It was reported in Korea that "Spokesman Qin Gang mentioned that the two countries never had a territorial dispute over the island." On the other hand, Chinese reports notes that Qin Gang said the two countries never had a "territorial dispute," not mentioning any islands.
Reef
In nautical terminology, a reef is a rock, sandbar, or other feature lying beneath the surface of the water ....
4.6 meters (15 ft) below sea level (at low tide) located in the East China Sea
East China Sea
The East China Sea is a marginal sea east of China. It is a part of the Pacific Ocean and covers an area of 1,249,000 km² or 750,000 square miles.-Geography:...
. The rock is the subject of a territorial dispute
Territorial dispute
A territorial dispute is a disagreement over the possession/control of land between two or more states or over the possession or control of land by a new state and occupying power after it has conquered the land from a former state no longer currently recognized by the new state.-Context and...
between South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, which considers it to lie within its exclusive economic zone
Exclusive Economic Zone
Under the law of the sea, an exclusive economic zone is a seazone over which a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources, including production of energy from water and wind. It stretches from the seaward edge of the state's territorial sea out to 200 nautical...
, referring to it as Ieodo (이어도/離於島; MR: Iŏdo) or Parangdo (파랑도/波浪島; MR: P'arangdo), and China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, which considers it to lie within its exclusive economic zone
Exclusive Economic Zone
Under the law of the sea, an exclusive economic zone is a seazone over which a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources, including production of energy from water and wind. It stretches from the seaward edge of the state's territorial sea out to 200 nautical...
and refers to it as Suyan Rock (苏岩礁). The rock currently serves as the foundation for the Korean Ieodo Ocean Research Station. A helipad is also located there to allow the research station to be serviced.
The rock is located 149 km (92.6 mi) southwest of Marado
Marado
Marado or Mara Island is a treeless island 8 km off the south coast of Jeju, in southernmost South Korea, having an area of 0.3 km². It is home to about 90 people, and has long been known for its population being composed of strong women and docile men...
(just off Jeju island
Jeju-do
Jeju-do is the only special autonomous province of South Korea, situated on and coterminous with the country's largest island. Jeju-do lies in the Korea Strait, southwest of Jeollanam-do Province, of which it was a part before it became a separate province in 1946...
), Korea.
For Japan, Torishima (鳥島) Island, which is 275 kilometres (170.9 mi) away, is the closest territory to Socotra Rock; and for China, Yushandao (余山島) Island , 287 kilometres (178.3 mi) away, is nearest to Socotra Rock.
History
A possible reference to the rock exists in the ancient ChineseChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
book Shan Hai Jing
Shan Hai Jing
Shan Hai Jing is a Chinese classic text, and a compilation of early geography and myth. Versions of the text have existed since the 4th century BC, and by the early Han Dynasty it had reached its final form. It is largely a fabled geographical and cultural account of pre-Qin China as well as a...
, which mentions a "Su Rock" in the Yellow Sea. However, it is unclear if this refers to Socotra Rock, since the book includes mythological
Chinese mythology
Chinese mythology is a collection of cultural history, folktales, and religions that have been passed down in oral or written tradition. These include creation myths and legends and myths concerning the founding of Chinese culture and the Chinese state...
material. There is also no evidence that the island was ever inhabited.
Both "Parangdo" and "Ieodo" are names for the mythical island which the residents of Jeju island
Jeju-do
Jeju-do is the only special autonomous province of South Korea, situated on and coterminous with the country's largest island. Jeju-do lies in the Korea Strait, southwest of Jeollanam-do Province, of which it was a part before it became a separate province in 1946...
believed housed the spirits of fishermen who perished at sea. The South Korean government has asserted a direct connection between these legends and the modern-day rock, claiming that the traditional saying that "one who sees Parangdo can never return" refers to the danger facing sailors when high waves allow the rock to break the surface. Socotra Rock's Korean name was officially designated as "Ieodo" on January 26, 2001 by the Korea Institute of Geology.
- China's Ming DynastyMing DynastyThe Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
nautical book Shun Feng Xiang Song records: "Ancient Japanese come to China, if they pass by the 'Suyan', it means they are far from Japan and will see the Grand Tang dynasty soon." However, it not evident if 'Suyan' was Socotra Rock. The book now is kept in Bodleian Library of Oxford University.
- 1900: Socotra Rock was discovered by the BritishUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
merchant vessel Socotra. - 1910: Socotra Rock is surveyed by the British vessel Waterwitch, which measures the depth at less than 5.4 metres (about 18 feet).
- 1938: The Japanese government surveys the rock. Plans are laid for a research station, but these are cut short by the outbreak of World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. - 1951: A joint team of the Republic of Korea NavyRepublic of Korea NavyThe Republic of Korea Navy or the ROK Navy is the branch of the South Korean armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations and amphibious landing operations. The ROK Navy includes the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, which is a quasi-autonomous organization...
and the Korea Mountain Climbing Association (한국산악회) reach the rock and lower a bronze marker bearing the legend "대한민국 영토 이어도" ("Ieodo, Territory of the Republic of Korea") onto its surface. - 1952: South Korea promulgated the Syngman Rhee lineSyngman Rhee lineThe Syngman Rhee Line refers to a boundary line established by South Korean President Syngman Rhee in his "Peace Line" declaration of January 18, 1952, which included the Liancourt Rocks in Korean territory....
, which defined the country's territorial waters as including Socotra Rock. This was not recognized by the PRCPeople's Republic of ChinaChina , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
or other neighboring countries. - 1963: Yuejin shipwreck: The Chinese vessel "Yuejin" sank on her maiden voyage en route from QingdaoQingdao' also known in the West by its postal map spelling Tsingtao, is a major city with a population of over 8.715 million in eastern Shandong province, Eastern China. Its built up area, made of 7 urban districts plus Jimo city, is home to about 4,346,000 inhabitants in 2010.It borders Yantai to the...
to Nagoya after striking an underwater object. The crew of the ship claimed to have been attacked by a torpedo, causing an international incident. It was later found that due to a navigational error by the crew, the "Yuejin" had actually struck Socotra Rock which was marked on navigational charts at the time. This was not recognized by the Korea or other neighboring countries. - 1963 5.1-6.3，Shanghai Riverway Bureau fleet found the shipwreck 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) southeast of Socotra Rock. This move was not recognised by the Korea.
- 1970: South Korea's Underwater Resource Development Law was enacted, defining Socotra Rock to lie within the country's 4th mining field. This move was not recognised by the PRC.
- 1984 The rock's location is confirmed by a research team from Cheju National UniversityCheju National UniversityJeju National University is the smallest one among 10 Flagship Korean National Universities in South Korea along with*Seoul National University*Busan National University*Kyungpook National University*Chonnam National University...
. - 1987: A warning beacon is placed on the rock by South Korea.
- From 1995 to 2001, the ROK built the Ieodo Ocean Research Station on Socotra Rock despite the PRC objections. Several overflights of the island have since been made by the PRC surveillance aircraft.
- 2001: the Korea Institute of Geology officially designated the rock as "Ieodo" on January 26, 2001.
Dispute
According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the SeaUnited Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea , also called the Law of the Sea Convention or the Law of the Sea treaty, is the international agreement that resulted from the third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea , which took place from 1973 through 1982...
, a submerged reef can not be claimed as territory by any country. However, China and South Korea dispute which is entitled to claim it as part of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
In September 2006, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang (秦刚) told reporters that China objects to South Korea's "unilateral" activities in the region, referring to Korean government-built observation facilities on this reef island, which the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman has claimed to be "illegal". It was reported in Korea that "Spokesman Qin Gang mentioned that the two countries never had a territorial dispute over the island." On the other hand, Chinese reports notes that Qin Gang said the two countries never had a "territorial dispute," not mentioning any islands.
See also
- Foreign relations of South KoreaForeign relations of South KoreaThe foreign relations of South Korea are South Korean relations with other governments.South Korea maintains diplomatic relations with more than 188 countries. The country has also been a member of the United Nations since 1991, when it became a member state at the same time as North Korea...
- Foreign relations of the People's Republic of ChinaForeign relations of the People's Republic of ChinaThe foreign relations of the People's Republic of China guides the way in which it interacts with foreign nations. As a great power and emerging superpower, China's foreign policy and strategic thinking is highly influential. China officially states it "unswervingly pursues an independent foreign...
- Liancourt RocksLiancourt RocksThe Liancourt Rocks, also known as Dokdo or Tokto in Korean or in Japanese, are a group of small islets in the Sea of Japan . Sovereignty over the islets is disputed between Japan and South Korea...
- RockallRockallRockall is an extremely small, uninhabited, remote rocky islet in the North Atlantic Ocean. It gives its name to one of the sea areas named in the shipping forecast provided by the British Meteorological Office....
