Liancourt Rocks
On September 15, 1954, a set of 3 stamps depicting Liancourt Rocks, or "Dokdo" (독도) in Korean language were issued. The Japanese government opposed South Korea's plan and stated that they would consider all posts with Liancourt Rocks stamps as prohibited goods. South Korean authorities responded that returning posts without proper reasons would be contravening regulations of Universal Postal Union. Eventually posts with Liancourt Rocks stamps were delivered within Japan after stamps were blackened or torn off. Korea Post again officially issued Liancourt Rocks stamps depicting flora and fauna of islets on January 16, 2004, as a part of the Islands of Korea Series. Japanese authorities stated that the issue violates the cooperative spirit of the Universal Postal Union, and Tarō Asō, then-Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, mentioned about the issue of Japanese version of Liancourt Rocks stamp, or "Takeshima" stamp, which was not actualised.