Seoul – The South Korean government issued a strong protest against Japan following the publication of Tokyo's annual diplomatic report, which reasserted its claims over the Dokdo islets. The disputed islets, located to the east of South Korea, have been a long-standing point of contention between the two nations.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the 2024 Diplomatic Bluebook, reported to Japan’s Cabinet by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, continued to declare Dokdo as Japanese territory, historically and under international law. In response, ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk expressed vehement opposition to Japan’s unfounded territorial claims. “The government strongly protests against the Japanese government's repeated unfair territorial claims over Dokdo, which is clearly our own territory historically, geographically, and under international law, as announced in its Diplomatic Bluebook released on April 16, and urges (Japan) to withdraw it immediately," Lim stated. He emphasized that such claims have no bearing on South Korea's sovereignty over the islets, which are considered an inherent part of Korean territory both historically and legally. The report also highlighted ongoing disputes over wartime compensation issues related to Japanese companies and forced Korean laborers during Japan’s colonial rule from 1910 to 1945.