rki.news
Seoul – South Korea has lodged a strong protest against Japan’s repeated territorial claims over the disputed islets known as Dokdo in Korea and Takeshima in Japan, located between the two countries.
In a statement issued Sunday, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the latest assertion linked to Japan’s annual “Takeshima Day” event organized by Shimane Prefecture. Seoul described Japan’s claims as unjust and reiterated that Dokdo is an integral part of South Korean territory historically, geographically, and under international law.
The ministry urged Japan to immediately abolish the event and cease what it called groundless claims over the islets. It also called on Tokyo to confront historical realities with humility, referring to Japan’s 1910–1945 colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula.
Shimane Prefecture has marked February 22 as “Takeshima Day” since 2005 to assert administrative sovereignty over the rocky outcrops. The observance has consistently drawn protests from Seoul.
South Korea regained sovereignty over Dokdo after liberation from Japanese colonial rule and has maintained effective control ever since, including the deployment of a small police detachment. For many South Koreans, Japan’s continued claims are seen as denying historical responsibility and reviving colonial-era assertions.