Japanese Government Protests Visit to Dokdo by South Korean Opposition Lawmakers

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The Japanese government lodged a protest through the Korea-Japan diplomatic channel regarding a visit to Dokdo by a South Korean opposition party lawmaker.

On the 17th, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Despite our country's (Japan's) prior protest and request to halt, a South Korean lawmaker landed on Takeshima (the name Japan claims for Dokdo)," expressing their objection to the Korean side.

Takehiro Funakoshi, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, conveyed Japan's regret and demanded prevention of recurrence to Kim Yong-gil, Political Minister at the South Korean Embassy in Japan, while Naoki Kumagai, Minister at the Japanese Embassy in South Korea, expressed similar sentiments to Lee Sang-ryeol, Director-General of the Asia-Pacific Bureau at the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regarding People Power Party lawmaker Hong Seok-jun's visit to Dokdo on Liberation Day, August 15.

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its claim of sovereignty over Dokdo, stating that "Takeshima is clearly Japan's inherent territory both historically and under international law, and therefore the visit is absolutely unacceptable."

On the 17th, Director-General Funakoshi called Minister Kim to convey the Japanese government's position.

Minister Kim reportedly rejected Japan's demands for prevention of recurrence, affirming that Dokdo is clearly Korea's inherent territory historically, geographically, and under international law.

Earlier, on the 5th, the Japanese government also expressed regret through the Korea-Japan diplomatic channel over South Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries operating the "Dokdo Integrated Information System," which provides real-time video footage of Dokdo, and demanded its suspension.

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