Socotra Rock is a submerged rock 4.6 metres (15 ft) below sea level (at low tide) located in the Yellow Sea. International maritime law stipulates that a submerged rock outside of a nation's territorial sea (generally 12 nautical miles) cannot be claimed as territory by any nation. However, the rock is the subject of a maritime dispute between South Korea, which considers it to lie within its exclusive economis zone, referring to it as Ieodo(이어도/離於島; MR: Iŏdo) or Parangdo(파랑도/波浪島; MR: P'arangdo), and, which considers it to lie within its exclusive economis zone and refers to it as Suyan Rock(苏岩礁). The rock serves as the foundation for Korean leodo Ocean Research Station. A Korean helipad is also located there to allow the research station to be serviced.

The rock is located 149 kilometres (80 nmi; 93 mi) southwest of Marado (just off Jeju Island), Korea. For Japan, the island of Torishima, which is 275 km (148 nmi; 171 mi) away, is the closest territory. For China, Yushan Island of Zhejiang, is 287 km (178 mi) away from the rock.

Yellow Sea Coordinates

32°07′22.63″N, 125°10′56.81″E

History

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 would 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.

Timeline