Japan rejects South Korean government's protest over diplomatic white paper as "unacceptable"

Korea Demands Withdrawal of Sovereignty Claims
Japanese Government Rejects Demand
Japan Notes Korea's Illegal Occupation for 6 Years

The Japanese government stated on the 12th that it cannot accept South Korea's immediate demand for withdrawal regarding Japan's claim of sovereignty over Dokdo in its Diplomatic Bluebook.

According to Kyodo News, Hirokazu Matsuno, Chief Cabinet Secretary and spokesperson for the Japanese government, said at a press conference that morning, "There was a protest from South Korea concerning the description related to Korea in the Diplomatic Bluebook, including the Takeshima (Dokdo) issue," and added, "We responded by stating that we cannot accept it."

On the morning of the 11th, Kumagai Naoki, Charg? d'Affaires (Minister) of the Embassy of Japan in Korea, who was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the Japanese government unjustly claimed sovereignty over Dokdo in its diplomatic white paper, is entering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the previous day, Japan released the 2023 edition of its Diplomatic Bluebook, which included the statement that "Takeshima is clearly Japan's inherent territory both historically and under international law." The document also stated that South Korea is illegally occupying Dokdo. The Japanese Diplomatic Bluebook is a white paper recording recent international affairs and Japan's diplomatic activities, published every April. Since 2018, the Japanese government has consistently stated for six years that South Korea is illegally occupying Dokdo.

When this content was again included in this year's Diplomatic Bluebook, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately issued a spokesperson's statement on the 11th to protest. The Ministry said, "The Japanese government has repeated its unjust claim of sovereignty over Dokdo, which is clearly our inherent territory historically, geographically, and under international law, through the Diplomatic Bluebook," and "We strongly protest and urge its immediate withdrawal."

Additionally, Minjung Seo, Director-General of the Asia-Pacific Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, summoned Naoki Kumagai, Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of Japan in Korea, on the same day to lodge a protest.

Earlier, on the 28th of last month, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs also summoned Minister-Counselor Kumagai to express protest after Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology approved textbooks that diluted the coercive nature of forced mobilization during Japanese colonial rule and reinforced claims of sovereignty over Dokdo.

Meanwhile, on the 11th, China also immediately reacted against Japan's designation of China as the "greatest strategic challenge" in its diplomatic policy. Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on the 12th that he "firmly opposes" the expressions written in Japan's Diplomatic Bluebook.

Regarding China's position, Minister Matsuno responded at the press conference, "I am aware of what was said, but I will not respond to each comment."

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