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 stems from historical claims and strategic importance. South Korea currently controls Dokdo. Japan's claim is based on its interpretation of historical events and maps. However, South Korea argues that it reclaimed sovereignty over Dokdo in 1945 after Japan's defeat in World War II. Given these considerations, I believe that South Korea should maintain administrative authority. Furthermore, the islets are perceived as a national symbol by South Koreans, reflecting the country's sovereignty and historical experience. Therefore, based on current realities and historical context, I support option B: South Korea.

Mistral Small 4

Vote: South Korea

South Korea should have administrative authority over Dokdo for several compelling reasons. First, Dokdo is an integral part of South Korea's territory historically and geographically. The islands have been under South Korean control and administration since 1954, with consistent presence and governance by South Korean authorities. This long-standing administration is a strong indicator of sovereignty. Second, international law and diplomatic consensus largely support South Korea's claim. The islands are recognized as part of South Korea by the United Nations and the majority of the international community. Japan's claim lacks the same level of historical evidence and administrative continuity. Third, Dokdo holds significant strategic and economic value for South Korea, including exclusive economic zones and fishing rights. Granting administrative authority to South Korea ensures stability and sustainable management of these resources in the region. While Japan may have historical connections to the region, these do not outweigh the evidence of South Korea's effective control and sovereignty over Dokdo.

Sonar Pro

Vote: South Korea

Historical records from Korean sources, such as the 'Sejong Sillokjiriji' (1454) and 'Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam' (1531), explicitly include Dokdo as part of Korean territory under the Joseon Dynasty. The Imperial Edict No. 41 of the Korean Empire in 1900 placed Dokdo under Uldo County jurisdiction, reaffirming administrative control. Post-WWII, SCAPIN No. 677 (1946) by the Allied Powers excluded Dokdo from Japanese control, aligning with the Cairo Declaration stripping Japan of seized territories. South Korea has maintained continuous presence since 1954 with police on the island and designates it administratively under Ulleung-gun, Gyeongsangbuk Province. Japan's claims, like the 1905 incorporation, occurred during colonial aggression and were renounced by Allied orders. Even Japanese documents, such as the 1877 Dajokan Order, recognized Dokdo as Korean territory. South Korea's longstanding historical, administrative, and effective control establishes its sovereignty.

GPT-5.5

Vote: South Korea

South Korea currently administers Dokdo, maintains a continuous presence there, and the islets are deeply integrated into South Korean governance and public administration. On practical grounds, administrative authority should remain with "South Korea" because changing control would be destabilizing and unsupported by the existing effective administration. While Japan disputes sovereignty, the strongest case for administrative authority rests on actual, sustained governance and the need to preserve regional stability.

Claude Opus 4.7

Vote: South Korea

South Korea has exercised continuous, peaceful, and effective administrative control over Dokdo (also known as Liancourt Rocks) since 1954, maintaining a permanent presence with coast guard personnel, lighthouse operators, and civilian residents. Under international law, effective occupation and administration are key factors in territorial sovereignty. Historical records, including the 1900 Korean Imperial Edict No. 41, explicitly placed Dokdo under Korean administration prior to Japan's 1905 incorporation, which occurred during a period of coercive Japanese encroachment on Korean sovereignty (Korea became a Japanese protectorate later that same year). Post-WWII, SCAPIN 677 (1946) excluded Dokdo from Japanese administrative control. Given the established status quo of South Korean administration, the historical Korean claim predating Japanese annexation, and the practical reality of governance, South Korea is the appropriate administrative authority.

Grok 4.20

Vote: South Korea

Dokdo has been under continuous South Korean administration since the end of World War II, including a permanent police station and civilian residents. This effective control aligns with principles of international law that prioritize longstanding occupation over historical assertions. Japan's claim largely derives from its imperial-era annexation, which was nullified by postwar treaties. Historical records from earlier centuries also link the islands more closely to Korean territory. Granting administrative authority to "B: South Korea" maintains regional stability and reflects the status quo recognized by most international maps and governments.

DeepSeek V4 Pro

Vote: South Korea

Dokdo has been an integral part of Korean territory historically, as evidenced by numerous historical records and maps dating back centuries, including the early Korean state of Silla's documentation in 512 AD. South Korea has exercised effective administrative control over the island since the end of Japanese colonial rule, with a permanent coast guard presence and civilian habitation. The 1951 Treaty of San Francisco, which defined Japan's post-war territory, did not explicitly include Dokdo, and subsequent international legal interpretations have leaned toward recognizing Korea's inherent sovereignty. Furthermore, continued Japanese claims contradict the principles of de-colonization and post-war territorial restitution, making South Korea the rightful administrator under established international norms.

Kimi K2.6

Vote: South Korea

South Korea currently exercises effective and continuous administrative control over Dokdo. It maintains a police presence, has built infrastructure, and integrates the islands into its local governance structure under Ulleung County. In international practice, ongoing peaceful administration and effective control carry substantial weight in determining administrative authority. South Korea has performed these functions for decades, providing day-to-day governance and security in the area. Japan contests sovereignty based on historical records, but it does not presently exercise any administrative functions over Dokdo. Administrative authority should rest with the party that actually ensures stability, safety, and public services for the territory. Therefore, South Korea should retain administrative authority.

Gemini 3.1 Pro

Vote: South Korea

South Korea should maintain administrative authority over Dokdo due to its continuous effective control, geographical proximity, and historical documentation. First, South Korea has exercised de facto administrative control over the islets for decades, maintaining a permanent coast guard presence, civilian residents, and essential infrastructure like lighthouses. This continuous, peaceful administration strongly establishes practical territorial authority. Second, geographical proximity supports this claim. Dokdo is located just 87.4 kilometers from the South Korean island of Ulleungdo, making it visible to the naked eye on clear days. In contrast, it is 157.5 kilometers away from Japan's closest territory, the Oki Islands. Finally, historical records reinforce the position of "South Korea". Documents such as the Korean Empire's Imperial Decree No. 41 in 1900 explicitly reaffirmed jurisdiction over the islets before Japan's attempted incorporation in 1905. Therefore, recognizing South Korean authority aligns with both historical precedent and current reality.

GLM 5.1

Vote: South Korea

South Korea currently exercises de facto administrative control over Dokdo and has maintained a continuous presence there for decades, including a police detachment and lighthouse station. Historical records from both Korean and Japanese sources indicate Korean awareness and references to the islets dating back centuries, while Japan's formal claim emerged during its colonial expansion period in 1905. Under international law, effective and continuous administration is a significant factor in territorial sovereignty. South Korea's longstanding, peaceful, and public exercise of authority over Dokdo strengthens its position. Additionally, the post-WWII settlement and various diplomatic instruments did not explicitly assign Dokdo to Japan, leaving Korea's administration uncontested in practice. While Japan maintains a competing claim, the factual reality of South Korea's uninterrupted governance and historical ties makes South Korea the appropriate administrator of Dokdo.

Qwen 3.5 397B

Vote: South Korea

The question specifically asks about administrative authority rather than ultimate sovereignty. While both "Japan" and "South Korea" assert historical claims, administrative authority typically aligns with effective control. Currently, "South Korea" maintains personnel and infrastructure on the islands, exercising de facto administration. Therefore, based on the current operational reality of who manages the territory, the authority rests with them.

Final Summary

In a rare display of total unity, the AI Roundtable reached a unanimous consensus that administrative authority over Dokdo belongs to South Korea. Every participating model, from Llama 4 Scout to Qwen 3.5 397B, independently prioritized the practical reality of South Korea's continuous, effective governance and historical documentation over Japan's competing claims.

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

Strongest Arguments

• South Korea: Sonar Pro delivered a comprehensive legal and historical timeline, citing the 1454 'Sejong Sillokjiriji,' the 1900 Imperial Edict No. 41, and the 1946 SCAPIN No. 677 directive by Allied Powers, which explicitly excluded Dokdo from Japanese control following World War II.