Islands disputed by South Korea and Japan

A South Korean police officer stands guard on one of the two main islands that Seoul recognises as Dokdo Photograph: Han Sang-kyun/AP

An aerial view of the volcanic islets recognised by Tokyo as Takeshima. Situated mid-way between the two countries in the Sea of Japan (known in South Korea as the East Sea), they are controlled by Seoul Photograph: Korea Pool/AFP

Tourists take photographs of the disputed islands Photograph: Robert Gilhooly

South Korean bee farmer Ahn Sang-Kyu protests Japan's claim of sovereignty over the islands Photograph: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

During a 2008 visit to the islands South Korean officials offer a silent prayer to their compatriots who died defending the territory Photograph: Jeon Su-young/AP

Protesters carry placards during a 2006 rally outside the Japanese embassy in Seoul against Japan's sovereignty claims over the islands Photograph: Ahn Young-joon/AP

One of the disputed islands is seen from a South Korean coastguard ship Photograph: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

A South Korean navy vessel takes part in a 2008 defence drill off the disputed islands Photograph: South Korean Navy/Reuters

South Korean police patrol the disputed islands Photograph: Lee Jae-won/Reuters

Members of the Korea Liberation Association shout slogans during a 2008 rally in Seoul against Japan's decision to include its claims to the disputed islands in in school textbooks Photograph: Ahn Young-joon/AP

South Korean Kim Jong-bok hugs his bride Song Hee-jung during their traditional wedding ceremony on the disputed islands. They held the first-ever wedding on the islands in 2005 to protest against Japan's sovereignty claim Photograph: Lee Jae-Won/Reuters

A South Korean protester who tried to tear down the Japanese flag is detained by riot policemen at a 2005 rally in Seoul Photograph: You Sung-Ho /Reuters

Seagulls fly near the disputed islands Photograph: Lee Jae-won/Reuters