South Korea's Foreign Ministry summons Japanese diplomat regarding disputed Islands
- In Reports
- 05:26 PM, Apr 16, 2024
- Myind Staff
A spokesman for South Korea's foreign ministry stated that, a Japanese diplomat was summoned to protest against a claim made in Japan's annual diplomatic policy Bluebook regarding a group of islands that are central to a longstanding territorial dispute.
The South Korean foreign ministry summoned Taisuke Mibae, the deputy head of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, to express disapproval of the article. South Korea's foreign ministry previously declared strong protest against Japan's assertion in the Diplomatic Bluebook, stating that the Dokdo islands historically and geographically belong to its sovereign territory.
The Japanese government maintained in this year’s report that South Korea is continuing its “illegal occupation” of Dokdo and asserted that the area is historically and legally Japanese territory.
In response, foreign ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk issued a commentary stating, “The government strongly protests against the Japanese government’s repeated unfair territorial claims over Dokdo, which is clearly our own territory historically, geographically, and under international law, as announced in its Diplomatic Bluebook released on April 16, and urges (Japan) to withdraw it immediately.”
Lim stated that South Korea’s sovereignty over the islets, which are considered part of Korea’s intrinsic territory, remains unaffected by Japan’s claims.
Despite recent improvements in relations between the two nations, they continue to disagree about the sovereignty of the islands, which lie roughly halfway between them — Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea.
The latest exchange between South Korea and Japan underscores the persistent tensions over territorial claims in the region, despite recent efforts to improve bilateral relations. The disputed islands remain a point of contention, highlighting the complex historical and geopolitical dynamics between the two nations.
As diplomatic channels continue to navigate these challenges, finding a mutually acceptable resolution remains paramount for fostering stability and cooperation in Northeast Asia.
Image source: FirstPost
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