Kim Chang-yeol, a member of the South Korean music group DJ DOC, faced denial of entry into Japan while preparing to attend an event in Shimane Prefecture related to 'Takeshima Day'. This event, which is marked annually on February 22, has been contentious due to the ongoing territorial disputes between South Korea and Japan over the islets of Dokdo, known in Japan as Takeshima. The Dokdo Love Movement, for which Kim serves as a promotional ambassador, highlighted that his entry was blocked not for any legal infractions but as a political retaliatory measure related to the sensitive historical context surrounding the islets.

According to a statement from the Dokdo Love Movement, Kim was scheduled to visit Shimane to observe what they described as distortions of historical facts regarding Dokdo. However, he was informed of his denied entry upon arrival, being told it was a decision against entry for 'any reason'. Kim, who has previously faced entry issues due to a past DUI charge, asserted that he felt targeted specifically because of his association with the Dokdo preservation efforts. The spokesperson of the organization voiced strong criticism against what they consider Japan’s political motives in denying the entry of notable South Koreans who promote awareness about Dokdo.

The event, 'Takeshima Day', initiated in 2006 by the Shimane Prefecture, commemorates Japan's administrative claim over the disputed islets. This denial, therefore, is viewed as a broader reflection of the ongoing tensions between South Korea and Japan, particularly around the issues of national pride, territorial claims, and historical grievances. Kim's denied entry not only raises questions about freedom of travel but also exemplifies the heated diplomatic relations between the two nations surrounding joint historical narratives.