"Another 'Takeshima' Product Sold in Japan"... Seo Kyung-duk Criticizes, "This Crosses the Line"

The packaging of salt sold at Yonago Airport in Shimane Prefecture labels Dokdo as 'Jukdo' and states the distance to Oki Island as 157 km. Professor Seo Kyungdeok Facebook

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Controversy has arisen over the sale of products labeled as "Takeshima" at Yonago Airport in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. The issue centers on a map displayed on packages of Shimane-produced salt sold in airport shops, where "Takeshima" is used instead of "Dokdo."

On April 14, Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University revealed that he became aware of the situation through a tourist's report, stating, "On the product's exterior, Dokdo-which has no connection to Oki Island in Shimane Prefecture-is labeled as '(Jukdo) Takeshima' and the distance between the two islands is indicated as 157 km."

He further pointed out, "The words 'Oki National Park' are highlighted in large, orange letters, as if to depict Dokdo as part of Japan's national park system. While I have previously found products labeled as Takeshima in shops near the Shimane Prefectural Office and at Saigo Port on Oki Island, this is the first time such a product has been discovered at an airport," he emphasized.

Professor Seo raised the level of criticism, stating, "Selling products at an airport-which is frequented not only by Japanese but also by many foreigners-that blatantly claim Dokdo as Japanese territory has clearly crossed the line."

Meanwhile, in January, there was also controversy when a shop inside the passenger terminal on Oki Island, a popular tourist destination, sold shot glasses labeled with Dokdo.

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