Internationally known as Socotra Rock, 이어도(Ieodo, Korean) and苏岩礁(suyanjiao, Chinese)is not seen as a territorial dispute but one over Exclusive Economic Zones(EEZs). Interest in the sea picked up in 1980 when huge oil and gas deposits were confirmed to be there, on top of abundant fishery resources.

It situated 149 kilometers from Mirado, Korean island, and 287 kilometers from the nearest Sheshandao, Chinese island. The rocks became an issue in 1996 when the international community extended the maximum reach of EEZs ― which give special rights to use of exploration and resources ― to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers).

Scotra Rock falls in the overlap of the Chinese and Korean EEZ, meaning it is up to the states to delineate the actual maritime boundary. They have made no headway in 16 rounds of negotiations. After Korea's construction of the research center, which collects data on weather, fishery and environmental protection, China began conducting surveillance activities in surrounding waters. It began claiming the rocks as in its jurisdiction in 2006.