Seok Kyung-deok, on Japanese Minister's 'Territorial Integrity' Remarks: "Nonsense Exploiting Confusion"

Japanese Minister Mentions Territory Ahead of Traveling Exhibition
Seo Kyoungduk: "Outrageous Remarks Amid Confusion... Will Keep Watch"

Members of the Dokdo Hometown Association are holding a rally condemning Japan's Takeshima Day in front of the Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo

Professor Seokyeongdeok of Sungshin Women's University criticized the remarks of Japanese ministers on 'territorial preservation' as outrageous statements.

On the 22nd, Professor Seo wrote on Facebook, "Recently, Manabu Sakai, Japan's Minister in charge of territorial issues, attended a traveling exhibition introducing Japan's position on Dokdo and the Senkaku Islands (Chinese name Diaoyu Islands) and made outrageous remarks."

According to Kyodo News, Minister Sakai visited the traveling exhibition held from the 20th to the 27th of this month at a commercial facility in Marunouchi, Tokyo, organized by Japan's national exhibition facility, the "Territory and Sovereignty Exhibition Hall." He said, "Territorial preservation is an important task Japan faces. We want to strengthen the transmission of (Japan's position) both domestically and internationally," adding, "As the international situation becomes increasingly severe, I hope this will be an opportunity to deepen understanding of the territory and consider the responses we should take." The Territory and Sovereignty Exhibition Hall explained the exhibition overview as "an easy way to learn about the historical background and our country's (Japan's) position on the Northern Territories, Takeshima (竹島, the name Japan claims for Dokdo), and the Senkaku Islands." The exhibition hall plans to reopen newly in April with supplemented experiential exhibits.

Professor Seo pointed out, "Until now, this exhibition hall has displayed claims that Dokdo, the Senkaku Islands, and the four southern islands of the Kuril Islands called the 'Northern Territories' are 'Japan's inherent territory and have never been part of another country.'" He added, "It is truly rude for Japanese ministers to make such remarks taking advantage of Korea's confusion," emphasizing, "Dokdo is clearly the territory of the Republic of Korea historically, geographically, and under international law." He further stated, "When the exhibition hall reopens in April with experiential exhibits, I will first identify the incorrect exhibits about Dokdo and actively respond to them."

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