[Summary] Ruling Party Presidential Candidates Say "If Japan Does Not Change Dokdo Label on Olympic Map, We Should Boycott"

Leading Presidential Candidates Simultaneously Criticize
Jung Sye-kyun: "Clear Political Provocation Against Republic of Korea"
Lee Nak-yeon: "'Olympic Boycott' and Other Measures Must Be Firmly Addressed"
Park Yong-jin: "IOC Must Actively Play Role If It Does Not Want to Ruin Olympics"

The Tokyo Olympic website, confirmed to have labeled Dokdo as Japanese territory, has sparked controversy. / Photo by Seokyeongdeok, Professor at Sungshin Women's University, Facebook screenshot.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] The Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee of Japan faced strong criticism from ruling party presidential candidates who argued that the Tokyo Olympics should be boycotted after the official website map marked Dokdo as Japanese territory.

Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, who declared his presidential candidacy, wrote on his Facebook on the 30th, "Political neutrality is the most important principle of the Olympics," and claimed, "Japan's marking of Dokdo on the Olympic map is a clear political provocation against the Republic of Korea."

He continued, "If the demand for political neutrality raised during the PyeongChang Winter Olympics three years ago is not equally applied to the Tokyo Olympics, it would be a violation of fairness," and pointed out, "It damages the Olympic spirit based on fairness."

He added, "The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has the duty and responsibility to plan and supervise a peaceful and stable festival for humanity," emphasizing, "We will closely watch for a progressive change in the IOC's attitude."

Jeong Sye-kyun, Former Prime Minister / Photo by Yonhap News

At a meeting with city and provincial council members from the Chungnam region on the 29th, former Prime Minister Chung also stated, "If the map is not revised, we should boycott the Olympics with the consent of the people."

He further criticized strongly, saying, "Isn't Japan somewhat nasty and petty? Can't they hold the Olympics without provoking us? Those guys, bad guys."

Former Democratic Party leader and ruling party presidential candidate Lee Nak-yeon also wrote on Facebook on the 27th, "Dokdo is our land. We strongly urge the Japanese government to immediately delete the marking of Dokdo," and stressed, "If Japan refuses until the end, the government must respond firmly by mobilizing all possible means, including an 'Olympic boycott.'"

Former Leader of the Democratic Party Lee Nak-yeon / Photo by Yonhap News

Democratic Party lawmaker Park Yong-jin also said, "Marking Dokdo is an unacceptable act of sovereignty infringement and a foolish act that damages the Olympic spirit," urging, "The IOC must take a clear stance on Japan's wrongful actions and play an active role if it does not want to ruin the Olympics."

Earlier, the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee sparked controversy by placing a small dot on the national map image introducing the Olympic torch relay course on the official website, at the location corresponding to Dokdo above Shimane Prefecture, making it appear as if Dokdo is Japanese territory.

In response, the Korean government demanded correction in July 2019, and Japan changed the map design. However, the revised map was also found to have a small dot at the Dokdo location when zoomed in, causing renewed controversy.

The government plans to respond actively to this controversy.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Choi Young-sam emphasized at a regular briefing on the 27th, "We can never accept Japan marking Dokdo as Japanese territory on the Tokyo Olympic website," and stated, "Dokdo is clearly our inherent territory historically, geographically, and under international law."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.