Territorial Boundary between Korea and Russia after the Reunification of Korean Peninsular
Chung, In-Seop*
Many of Koreans consider that Korea unlawfully or unfairly lost some part of original territory in late 19th century and expect that unified Korea recover them in the future. Rokdoon-do in the Tumen river could be a source of potential territorial dispute. It had been a island in the middle of the Tumen river controlled by Chosun dynasty since at least 15th century. Around late Chosun dynasty it was connected to opposite side of the Tumen river because of the change in the course of the Tumen river. In 1860 Ching and Russia concluded the Beijing agreement, which conceded whole area of the opposite side of the Tumen river(Maritime Territory) including Rokdoon-do to Russia. Since then Rokdoon-do has been treated as Russian territory in international society. In 1985 North Korea and Russia concluded the Territorial Boundary Agreement which provided the middle of main channel of the Tumen river as a boundary between two States. It means North Korea also recognized Russian possession of Rokdoon-do. Many of Korean scholars have tried to prove that Rokdoon-do was original territory of Korea and wrongfully conceded to Russia by the Beijing agreeent in 1860, so it should be returned to Korea. However, much more important factor concerning the legal status of the Island in international law point of view is the Territorial Boundary Agreement of 1985 between North Korea and Russia. Though South Korea absorbs North Korea in some day, unified Korea should respect that territorial agreement under the current customary international law on state succession. Recovery of Rokdoon-do is hardly expected at least from the international law perspective as long as Russia does not renounce it voluntarily.