Dokdo (Takeshima)

Dokdo (called Takeshima in Japan) is a group of small islets in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) with strategic and economic significance, especially for fishing and potential mineral resources. South Korea administers and maintains sovereignty over them, while Japan also claims them, leading to a long-standing territorial dispute. The issue involves historical, national identity, and legal considerations, making it a sensitive national matter for both countries. The islands are mostly uninhabited but are important symbols of national pride and sovereignty in both South Korea and Japan.