Jeju Peace Institute

East Asia is faced with diverse types of conflicts due to a complex mixture of cultural similarities, historical grievances, and geographical proximity combined with the interaction of the regional powers’ current domestic and international political and economic situations. East Asian countries have engaged in territorial disputes particularly what should be considered their sovereign islands. Conflicts over the interpretation of history, coupled with cultural disputes, have aggravated the territorial disputes, resulting in a vicious cycle disrupting regional cooperation in East Asia. Nowadays, territorial disputes are increasingly becoming the most significant issue in the international relations of East Asia. This study is intended to introduce the exact state of territorial disputes in East Asia, analyze their causes, pursue solutions to them, and present policy solutions to the conflicts. Specifically, this study will address the current state and causes of territorial disputes in East Asia along with potential solutions to the conflicts: the core of the Dokdo Island issue and strategic alternatives for Korea and Japan the core of the Northern Islands dispute and strategic alternatives for Russia and Japan, and the core of the Senkaku Islands dispute and strategic alternatives for China and Japan. Contents I. Multilateral Approaches to Sovereignty Issues of Disputed Islands in East Asia II. Scientific Understanding of Territorial Disputes: Development of Territorial Disputes on a Global Level III. Territorial Conflicts between Russia and Japan over the Kuril Islands IV. Strategies of China and Japan on the sovereignty dispute over Senkaku Islands and implications for international politics V. The Dispute on Dokdo Island and the Issue of Sovereignty between Korea and Japan VI. Pursuit of Multilateral Approaches to Territorial Disputes