The South Korean government has strongly protested Japan's continued claims of sovereignty over the disputed Dokdo islets during an official event in Shimane Prefecture.
The South Korean government has expressed strong opposition to Japan's ongoing claims of sovereignty over the disputed Dokdo islets, following an event held in Shimane Prefecture on Takeshima Day where high-ranking Japanese officials attended. A statement issued by the South Korean foreign ministry called for the immediate cancellation of such events, asserting that Dokdo is historically and legally recognized as South Korea's territory. The government urged the Japanese authorities to reconsider their claims and approach the historical issue with humility.
In a diplomatic move following the event, South Korea summoned Hirotaka Matsuo, the Minister for Economic Affairs at the Japanese embassy in Seoul, to convey their protest against Japan's participation in the event. Matsuo did not respond to questions from reporters regarding Japan's rationale for claiming sovereignty over Dokdo, and the implications it might have for Korea-Japan relations. The Japanese government has a history of sending deputy-ministerial level officials to this annual event, maintaining continuity in its claim to the territory.
