Socotra Rock

For the island in the Indian Ocean, see Socotra.
Socotra Rock
Disputed island
Other names: Ieodo or Iŏdo (이어도/離於島)
Parangdo or P'arangdo (파랑도/波浪島)
Suyan Rock (苏岩礁)
Socotra Rock location map
Geography
Location East China Sea
Total islands 1
Major islands none
Highest point unnamed location below sea level
−4.6 metres (−15.0918635170600 ft)
Administered by
 [[|]]
Claimed by
 [[|]]
Demographics
Population none permanent

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)[1], 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.[2] A helipad is also located there to allow the research station to be serviced.

The rock is located 149 km (93 mi) southwest of Marado (just off Jeju island), Korea.

For Japan, Torishima (鳥島) Island, which is 275 kilometers (171 mi) away, is the closest territory to Socotra Rock; and for China, Yushandao (余山島) Island [2], 287 kilometers (178 mi) away, is nearest to Socotra Rock.

Contents

History

A possible reference to the rock exists in the ancient Chinese 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.[1][3] Socotra Rock's Korean name was officially designated as "Ieodo" on January 26, 2001 by the Korea Institute of Geology.[4]

Dispute

According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 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."[8] On the other hand, Chinese reports notes that Qin Gang said the two countries never had a "territorial dispute," not mentioning any islands.[9]

See also

Notes and references

  1. ^ a b c d "파랑도". Naver Encyclopedia. http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=334891. Retrieved 2006-09-16. 
  2. ^ a b "海洋资源被非法掠夺 中国海洋安全面临挑战" (in Chinese). 河南商报. 2006-10-26. http://news1.jrj.com.cn/news/2006-10-26/000001734045.html. Retrieved 2006-10-26. 
  3. ^ a b c d e (Korean) "이어도 소개 (Ieodo sogae, Introduction to Ieodo". KORDI Ieodo Research Station website (This site might have view points in dispute or original research)). Archived from the original on 2006-07-17. http://web.archive.org/web/20060717141228/http://ieodo.kordi.re.kr/html/leodo_company2.asp. Retrieved 2006-09-19. 
  4. ^ a b (Korean) "제주 남방의 이어도와 EEZ(배타적경제수역)포기 (Jeju nambang-ui ieodo-wa EEZ pogi, Ieodo south of Jeju and the surrender of the EEZ)". Dokdo Center website. 2004-06-05. http://www.dokdocenter.org/new/island/island_erdo.htm?tb=openb_island_erdo&curDir=etcmenu/island&idx=12&page=1. Retrieved 2006-09-22. 
  5. ^ a b (Korean) "국제법적인 고찰". Ieodo Research Station website. Archived from the original on 2006-07-06. http://web.archive.org/web/20060706165936/http://ieodo.kordi.re.kr/html/leodo_company2_3.asp. Retrieved 2006-09-22. 
  6. ^ (Chinese) ""Yuejin shipwreck" event". People Daily. http://www.people.com.cn/GB/historic/0501/1406.html. Retrieved 2006-09-23. 
  7. ^ (Chinese) "Project list". Shanghai Harbor Records. http://www.shtong.gov.cn/node2/node2245/node4526/node57705/node57733/node57737/userobject1ai44856.html. Retrieved 2006-09-23. 
  8. ^ a b "China Chafes at Korean Observatory on Reef Island". Chosun Ilbo. 2006-09-14. Archived from the original on 2006-11-02. http://web.archive.org/web/20061102190745/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200609/200609140017.html. Retrieved 2006-09-14. 
  9. ^ (Chinese) 中国反对韩国在苏岩礁海洋观测活动(China objects Korean Observatory on Reef Island)Phoenix TV Retrieved on 2006-09-19.

External links

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