Pictures of South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo were put on display in Beijing on Thursday, the event's organizers said, marking the first overseas photo exhibition of Dokdo.

Dokdo, which lies closer to South Korea in the body of water between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, has long been a thorn in relations between the two countries. South Korea keeps a police detachment on the islets, effectively controlling them.

The exhibition, which runs through April 17 at the Korea Culture Center in central Beijing, was part of South Korea's efforts to increase global awareness about Dokdo.

Jointly organized by the Seoul-based Northeast Asian History Foundation, a think tank funded by South Korea's foreign ministry, and the South Korean Embassy in Beijing, the exhibition displays 55 photographs of Dokdo taken by South Korean photographer Kim Jung-man.

"We hope these photographs help promote further interest in and understanding of the beauty and tranquility of Dokdo," said Kim Hak-joon, president of the foundation, in a welcoming message.

Wang Lin, a 27-year-old Chinese office worker, said she was moved by Dokdo's beautiful scenery.

"Also, this exhibition helps me better understand Dokdo," Wang said.

Japan has long laid claim to the islets, but South Korea has rejected Japan's claim as nonsense as it regained its independence from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule and reclaimed sovereignty over its territory, including Dokdo.

The exhibition is free to all, according to the statement. (Yonhap)