South Korea lodges strong protest with Japan over Dokdo sovereignty issue

South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the 22nd, strongly protesting Japan’s so-called “Dokdo Day” activities and repeated claims of sovereignty over Dokdo (Takeshima in Japanese).

The statement said that the South Korean government once again strongly urges Japan to immediately abolish the event. Dokdo is an inherent part of South Korean territory historically, geographically, and under international law. The Japanese government should immediately cease its improper and far-fetched claims to Dokdo and face history with humility.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Japanese Minister-Counselor Hirotaka Matsuo to South Korea again that day to convey South Korea’s protest position.

On the 20th, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement strongly protesting Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi’s claim that Dokdo belongs to Japan and summoned Matsuo to express South Korea’s protest position.

Dokdo is located in the East Sea (Sea of ​​Japan) of the Korean Peninsula and has an area of ​​approximately 0.18 square kilometers. South Korea, North Korea, and Japan all claim sovereignty over the island. Currently, South Korea effectively controls the island.