The South Korean government issued a formal diplomatic protest against Japan, demanding the immediate retraction of territorial claims over the disputed islets known as Dokdo in Korea and Takeshima in Japan. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul, the strong protest followed the release of Japan’s annual diplomatic bluebook, which reiterates Tokyo’s sovereignty claims.
Seoul Summons Japanese Envoy Over Diplomatic Bluebook Claims
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned a senior official from the Japanese Embassy in Seoul to lodge a formal complaint. According to Yonhap News Agency, Seoul’s Vice Foreign Minister called in the Japanese diplomat to express deep regret and demand an immediate correction regarding the recurring sovereignty assertions outlined in the 2024 Japanese Diplomatic Bluebook.
The disputed islands lie in the East Sea and are currently administered by South Korea, which maintains a small police detachment on the territory. Japan has repeatedly claimed territorial rights over the islets in its official foreign policy documents, triggering regular diplomatic friction between the two East Asian neighbors despite recent efforts by both administrations to improve bilateral security and economic ties.
Historical Context and Bilateral Relations
Seoul maintains that Dokdo is an integral part of Korean territory historically, geographically, and under international law. According to historical records cited by the South Korean government, the islands were incorporated into Korean jurisdiction long before Japan’s colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula began in 1910.
Tokyo rejects this position, arguing that Takeshima was formally incorporated into Japanese territory in 1905 through a cabinet decision during the Meiji era. The territorial dispute remains a persistent stumbling block in bilateral relations, complicating broader diplomatic cooperation on regional security issues involving North Korea and China.
Future Outlook
The diplomatic friction over the maritime territory highlights the fragility of bilateral rapprochement efforts between Seoul and Tokyo. While leaders from both nations have pursued closer intelligence sharing and economic collaboration, unresolved historical and territorial disputes continue to trigger swift official protests whenever diplomatic white papers or school textbooks restate competing sovereignty claims.