[4][dead link‍] The Liancourt Rocks lie in rich fishing grounds that may contain large deposits of natural gas.

Altogether, there are about 90 islets and reefs,[4][dead link‍] volcanic rocks formed in the Cenozoic era, more specifically 4.6 to 2.5 million years ago.

[verification needed] In 2006, a geologist reported that the islets formed 4.5 million years ago and are (in a geological sense) quickly eroding.

[8] Restricted public access to the rocks for a variety of purposes is provided by ferry from Ulleng Island.

[citation needed] According to historical records, there used to be trees indigenous to Liancourt Rocks, which have supposedly been wiped out by overharvesting and fires caused by bombing drills over the islets.

[24] Efforts have since been made by both public[25] and private[26] organizations to reduce the level of pollution surrounding the Rocks.

South Korea has carried out construction work on the Liancourt Rocks; by 2009, the islands had a lighthouse, helicopter pad,[27] and a police barracks.

[29] Both of the major South Korean telecommunications companies have installed cellular telephone towers on the islets.

[31] In February 2017, there were two civilian residents, two government officials, six lighthouse managers, and 40 members of the coast guard living on the islets.

[32] In March 1965, Choi Jong-duk moved from the nearby Ulleungdo to the islets to make a living from octopus fishing.

In 1981, Choi Jong-duk changed his administrative address to the Liancourt Rocks, making himself the first person to officially live there.

The South Korean government lets up to 70 tourists land at any given time; one ferry provides rides to the islets every day.

South Korean claims are partly based on references to an island called Usando (우산도; 于山島; 亐山島) in various medieval historical records, maps, and encyclopedia such as Samguk Sagi, Annals of Joseon Dynasty, Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam, and Dongguk munhon bigo.

[40] The Liancourt Rocks were designated as a breeding ground for band-rumped storm petrels, streaked shearwaters, and black-tailed gulls as Natural Monument #336 of South Korea on November 29, 1982.