A South Korean police officer standing guard on the nation's easternmost islets of Dokdo has gone missing, police said Tuesday. He has not been identified immediately.
The officer was placed on sentry duty at a seaside location of the East Sea islets early Tuesday morning but later was found to have gone missing, police said, adding a search operation is now under way.
Police said the search operation is focused on the seaside areas, as it can be ruled out that he might fall into the sea after losing his footing.
Dokdo, which lies just 90 kilometers east of South Korea's Ulleung Island in the East Sea, has frequently been the focus of international media coverage, due to Japan's territorial claim to the rocky outcrops. The closest Japanese territory of Oki Island in Shimane Prefecture is more than 160 kilometers away from Dokdo.
Since 1954, the South Korean government has stationed a small contingent on Dokdo. Currently, about 50 police officers who belong to the Ulleung Island Security Force are stationed on Dokdo for security purposes. The "Dokdo Police Guard" stand guard on the islets 24 hours a day against Japanese patrol boats and other invaders, using advanced systems and equipment.