U.S. Factor In The Dokdo (Takeshima) Issue

Dokdo (Takeshima) is a small island between South Korea and Japan. It has a high strategic and economic value because of its unique geographic position. South Korea and Japan have been involved in the disputes for its territorial sovereignty for more than half a century. Besides territorial sovereignty, their disputes also involve marine rights and interests, economic, political and strategic values. It seems that the disputes over Dokdo (Takeshima) are a continuation of the historical problems between South Korea and Japan. In fact, it is closely related to the adjustments of the U.S. policy in East Asia after World Warâ…¡. Out of its own national interests, the United States intervened in the Dokdo (Takeshima) problem in the early postwar period. But after the beginning of Cold War, in order to improve relations with Japan and to ensure its dominant position in US-Japan and US-South Korea alliances, the United States has gradually taken a neutral and ambiguous attitude towards the Dokdo (Takeshima) issue of sovereignty, avoiding getting involved in the disputes between South Korea and Japan. It leads to the continuing territorial disputes between South Korea and Japan and the Dokdo (Takeshima) issue is still unresolved. This paper will analyze from the Dokdo (Takeshima) issue between South Korea and Japan to the U.S. factors in it. By studying the United States'policy in East Asia and the adjustments of relations between South Korea and Japan after the Second World War, it will analyze the impact on the ownership of the island from these adjustments and its future development trend. The paper will also analyze the substance of US-Japan-South Korea triangle relationship and uncover the overall strategic layout in Northeast of the United States through its two allies-Japan and South Korea. The purpose is to indicate that a most important factor of the evolution of the Dokdo (Takeshima) problem is caused by the adjustments of the strategy in East Asia and security structure in Northeast Asia of the U.S.. As long as the balance of power in theis region remains stable, the United States will not change its neutral attitude towards the Dokdo (Takeshima) issue.