Japan protests "Cease immediately" as South Korea conducts marine survey around Dokdo

Protest After 5 Years... "Unacceptable to Allow Marine Surveys Without Consent in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone" Claim

The view of Dongdo Island from Seodo Island in Dokdo, Ulleung-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] The Japanese government strongly protested against a South Korean vessel conducting marine surveys around Dokdo.

According to Kyodo News and Sankei Shimbun on the 29th, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs witnessed a South Korean survey ship deploying something resembling a wire into the sea near Dokdo waters, and immediately after confirming that South Korea had conducted marine surveys, demanded an immediate halt to the investigation.

Takehiro Funakoshi, Director of the Asia and Oceania Division at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, strongly protested to Kim Yong-gil, Political Counselor at the South Korean Embassy in Japan, stating that surveys conducted without consent within Japan's exclusive economic zone are unacceptable.

The exclusive economic zone (EEZ) refers to the sea area within 200 nautical miles from a country's coastline. Within this zone, the coastal state has exclusive economic rights over resources such as fisheries and minerals.

This is the first time in five years since May 2017 that the Japanese government has protested South Korea's marine surveys near Dokdo.

Currently, Japan maintains its claim of sovereignty over Dokdo and asserts that the surrounding waters are part of its exclusive economic zone.

Meanwhile, the recent marine survey was conducted by a survey vessel affiliated with South Korea's National Institute of Maritime Survey.

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