Government: Japan's Security Strategy Must Delete 'Dokdo Sovereignty'... Summons Resident Envoy and Defense Attach? (Comprehensive)

On the 16th, Naoki Kumagai, the Japanese Consul General, who was summoned regarding Japan's territorial claim over Dokdo, is entering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Government Complex Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The South Korean government immediately demanded the deletion of Japan's claim to sovereignty over Dokdo included in the revised "National Security Strategy" (NSS) announced on the 16th, and repeatedly summoned officials from the Japanese Embassy in Korea.

In a statement issued under the name of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson on the same day, the government strongly protested "the inclusion of an unjust claim of sovereignty over Dokdo, which is clearly our inherent territory historically, geographically, and under international law," and emphasized, "We urge its immediate deletion."

It added, "The Japanese government should clearly recognize that repeatedly making unjust claims over Dokdo does not help in building a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "We reaffirm that Japan's unjust claims have no effect on our sovereignty over Dokdo, which is the inherent territory of the Republic of Korea, and we will respond firmly to any provocations regarding Dokdo."

On the afternoon of the same day, Seo Min-jung, Director of the Asia-Pacific Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, summoned Kumagai Naoki, Minister-Counselor of the Japanese Embassy in Korea, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building to convey the government’s position. The Korean side strongly protested Japan’s unjust claims related to Dokdo and demanded their immediate withdrawal.

Additionally, Kim Sang-jin, Director of International Policy at the Ministry of National Defense, summoned Nakashima Takao (First Lieutenant, Colonel-level), Defense Attach? of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in Korea, to the Ministry of National Defense to lodge a protest. The Ministry of National Defense stated, "There is no territorial dispute over Dokdo, and it is not subject to any negotiation or judicial resolution," making this position clear to the Japanese side.

On the same day, the Japanese government decided to revise three major security documents, including the National Security Strategy, the basic guideline for diplomacy and security, at an extraordinary Cabinet meeting held in the afternoon. In particular, the revised National Security Strategy referred to Dokdo as "Takeshima" and stated, "Regarding the sovereignty issue of Takeshima, which is our country's inherent territory, we will respond calmly based on a consistent position and persistently make diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve the dispute according to international law," thereby framing Dokdo as a disputed area and asserting sovereignty claims.

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