Japan expresses "deep regret" over Cho Kuk's Dokdo visit, vows resolute response to protect territory

The Japanese government announced on the 13th that it will "respond resolutely with determination to firmly protect its territory, territorial waters, and airspace" in relation to Jo Guk, leader of the National Innovation Party, visiting Dokdo.

Hayashi Yoshimasa, Chief Cabinet Secretary and spokesperson for the Japanese government, stated at a press conference that afternoon, "Takeshima (竹島, the name Japan claims for Dokdo) is historically and under international law clearly Japan's inherent territory," expressing this position.

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a press release that day, saying, "(Jo's visit to Dokdo) was carried out despite prior requests to stop," and expressed "extreme regret."

Earlier, Jo visited Dokdo on the same day to protest the 'Line Yahoo share sale incident' triggered by administrative guidance from the Japanese government and issued a statement. Jo criticized the current government, saying, "Past administrations under Park Chung-hee, Lee Myung-bak, and Park Geun-hye were also criticized as pro-Japanese regimes, but not as blatantly as this," and added, "This government goes beyond pro-Japanese to pro-Japan and worshipping Japan."

Japanese government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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