Seoul lodged a protest following Japan’s statements about its territorial claims to South Korea’s easternmost Dokdo islands, according to Asian media.
Earlier in the day, at a cabinet meeting, the Japanese government adopted the 2024 defence white paper in which it reiterated the argument that Takeshima (Dokdo) is part of Japan and the issue of territorial claims to the protrusion complex remains unresolved.
Thus, the foreign and defence ministries summoned senior officials of the Japanese embassy in Seoul to file a complaint amid Tokyo’s statements. Director General of Asian and Pacific Affairs Kim Sang-hoon called Taisuke Mibae, deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, to protest against incessant false claims about Dokdo Island.
We strongly protest against Japan’s unjust claims to Dokdo, which is clearly our inherent territory historically, geographically and by international law, and we urge Japan to retract the statement immediately, Lim Soo-suk, foreign ministry spokesperson, stressed.
Lim further added South Korea would take stern measures against any Japanese action on Dokdo, and that Tokyo’s claims to the islands would do little to change that. He also urged Japan to realise that its claims on Dokdo do not contribute to efforts to develop bilateral relations in a future-oriented direction.
The group of islands has long been a constant source of tension between the two sides, as Tokyo continues to claim sovereignty in its policy documents, public statements and school textbooks, while Seoul keeps a small police force on the islands to maintain control.
