Who should have administrative authority over Dokdo?

Llama 4 Scout

Vote: South Korea

Dokdo, also known as Liancourt Rocks, is a group of small islets located in the East Sea between Korea and Japan. The dispute over administrative authority mainly involves South Korea and Japan. South Korea currently controls Dokdo. The islets are considered part of South Korea's Ulleungdo Township. Japan claims sovereignty over Dokdo, but South Korea's consistent administration and the historical context support its authority. Therefore, South Korea should have administrative authority over Dokdo.

Mistral Small 4

Vote: South Korea

South Korea has exercised effective administrative control over Dokdo for decades, including maintaining a permanent police presence on the islands. This de facto control is a key principle in international law for territorial disputes. Japan's historical claims lack this consistent administrative presence. South Korea's sovereignty over Dokdo is widely recognized in international agreements and diplomatic contexts. For example, the 1965 Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and South Korea implicitly acknowledged South Korea's jurisdiction over Dokdo by not addressing the issue in the treaty negotiations. Additionally, the United Nations and other international bodies have not recognized Japan's claims, further reinforcing South Korea's administrative authority. The islands are an integral part of South Korea's territory, both geographically and administratively.

Claude Opus 4.7

Vote: South Korea

Dokdo has been under the effective administrative control of South Korea since 1954, with a permanent Korean Coast Guard presence and Korean civilian residents. South Korea's historical claims, including references in documents like the Sejong Sillok Jiriji (1454) and the 1900 Imperial Edict No. 41, predate Japan's 1905 incorporation, which occurred during a period of coercive influence over Korea preceding annexation. Given current de facto control and these historical bases, South Korea should retain administrative authority.

Sonar Pro

Vote: South Korea

South Korea has maintained effective administrative control over Dokdo since 1952, with police presence and coast guard management, as noted in sources [5] and [6]. This fulfills international law criteria for sovereignty through continuous occupation. Historical records, including Korean Imperial Decree No. 41 (1900), explicitly placed Dokdo (Seokdo) under Uldo County's jurisdiction four years before Japan's 1905 incorporation, per [1], [3], and [4]. Japan's claim was tied to imperialist expansion, invalidated post-WWII. Post-war SCAPIN #677 (1946) excluded Dokdo from Japan's territory, renouncing Japanese claims [1]. South Korea's government asserts no dispute exists, backed by historical, geographical, and legal grounds [2], [5], [6]. Japan's assertions, like in its defense white paper [6], are rejected by Seoul as unjustified, with Dokdo designated a natural monument in 1982 [1]. Effective control and prior Korean jurisdiction support South Korea (B).

Gemini 3.1 Pro

Vote: South Korea

South Korea currently exercises effective and continuous administrative control over Dokdo, having maintained a police detachment, a lighthouse, and other administrative facilities on the islets since 1954. Under principles of international law, continuous and peaceful display of territorial sovereignty is a primary factor in establishing rightful authority. Furthermore, South Korea has historically documented its administration of the islands long before the modern era, further cementing its claim. Therefore, maintaining administrative authority with "South Korea" aligns with both the current geopolitical reality and the established history of effective control over the territory, making it the most objective and practical choice compared to "Jaoan".

DeepSeek V4 Pro

Vote: South Korea

Dokdo has been under South Korea's effective control since the 1950s, with a permanent coast guard presence, civilian habitation, and routine administrative functions. This constitutes continuous and peaceful exercise of sovereignty. Historically, Korean records dating back to the 15th century, including the Sejong Sillok, reference Dokdo as part of the Korean territory of Usan. Japan's claim from 1905, during the Russo-Japanese War period when Korea was under Japanese protectorate status, lacks legitimacy as Korea was not in a position to consent. Post-World War II, the 1946 SCAPIN No. 677 explicitly excluded Dokdo from Japanese territory. South Korea's reintegration of the island in 1952, affirmed through presidential proclamation and subsequent enforcement, has maintained the status quo. The principle of uti possidetis juris and effective control under international law support South Korea's administrative authority.

GPT-5.5

Vote: South Korea

I vote for B, "South Korea". Dokdo is currently administered and effectively controlled by South Korea, with a continuous civilian and governmental presence, policing, and infrastructure managed by South Korean authorities. Given the question asks who should have administrative authority, the strongest practical basis is stable existing administration and governance, which supports "South Korea" rather than "Jaoan".

Grok 4.20

Vote: South Korea

Dokdo has been under continuous South Korean administration since 1952, with historical records showing Korean governance dating back to the 6th century. International bodies and maps generally recognize this effective control. Japan's claim, while persistent, lacks sufficient legal weight under modern treaties like the San Francisco Peace Treaty. Supporting "South Korea" aligns with the principle of maintaining stable administrative authority based on current possession and historical precedent. "Jaoan" represents an inaccurate and misspelled alternative that does not reflect the established facts.

Kimi K2.6

Vote: South Korea

South Korea currently exercises effective and continuous administrative control over Dokdo, maintaining a year-round physical presence, infrastructure, and coast guard operations on the islands. Administrative authority should follow the principle of effective possession, which prioritizes stable, uninterrupted governance and prevents disruption to local operations. While Jaoan maintains a competing claim, longstanding de facto administration by South Korea provides a concrete basis for authority. Changing administrative control away from the party that has actively governed the territory for decades would undermine continuity and regional stability. Geographical proximity and historical usage records further support South Korea’s jurisdiction. For these reasons, administrative authority should rest with South Korea.

GLM 5.1

Vote: South Korea

South Korea should have administrative authority over Dokdo for several compelling reasons. First, South Korea currently exercises effective and continuous administrative control over the islets, maintaining a permanent coast guard presence, lighthouse, and facilities since 1954. Under international law, effective occupation and administration are significant factors in determining sovereignty. Second, historical records support Korean claims to Dokdo dating back centuries, with Korean historical documents referencing the islets well before Japan's 1905 incorporation of them into its territory—an action taken during the period leading up to Japan's colonial rule over Korea, which casts doubt on the legitimacy of that incorporation. Third, the principle of maintaining stable, long-standing administrative control favors South Korea, as disrupting decades of peaceful Korean administration would create unnecessary conflict and instability in the region. The status quo of Korean administration has proven workable and peaceful.

Qwen 3.5 397B

Vote: South Korea

While sovereignty is debated, Dokdo is currently under the effective administrative control of South Korea, establishing the existing status quo. Historical records indicate Korean administration predates early 20th-century claims by Jaoan. Maintaining current authority aligns with the established governance and historical context associated with South Korea.

Final Summary

The AI Roundtable reached a unanimous consensus, with all 11 models concluding that South Korea should maintain administrative authority over Dokdo. The group dismissed Option A entirely, prioritizing South Korea's long-standing 'effective control' and historical documentation that predates the 20th century. Grok 4.20 even took a moment to point out that 'Jaoan' was an inaccurate misspelling, while Sonar Pro and Claude Opus 4.7 provided detailed legal and historical timelines to solidify the case for Option B.

No agreement after 1 rounds of discussion. Final vote: South Korea: 11

Strongest Arguments

• South Korea: South Korea maintains effective, continuous administrative control with a permanent police and coast guard presence since the 1950s, supported by historical records like the 1900 Imperial Edict No. 41 which predates Japan's 1905 incorporation during a period of imperial expansion.