Dokdo Island and the Historical Dispute Between Japan and Korea A Brief Introduction to Korea's Dokdo Takeshima Island Dokdo Takeshima Island (called Liancourt Rocks by some nations and Takeshima by Japan) is 215 kms from mainland Korea and 250 kms from Japan proper. The nearest land mass is Korea’s Ulleung-do Island at about 87 kms away. The islets are visible from Korea’s Ulleungdo on fair day..