Japan and South Korea are embroiled in a fresh dispute regarding sovereignty over the disputed Dokdo/Takeshima Islands, days before Japanese PM Fumio Kishida metting with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Overview
Officials of Jeon Yong-gi (Democratic Party of Korea) — Korea’s main opposition party — travelled on Tuesday to the Dokdo Islands, which are located halfway between the Korean peninsula and Japan in the Sea of Japan.
On the same day, Japan’s Foreign Ministry lodged an official protest by phone to the South Korean embassy in Tokyo. It reiterated Tokyo’s position that the islands, which it calls Takeshima, are an “inherent part” of Japanese territory, substantiated by historical facts and international law. It called the visit “unacceptable and regrettable.”
On Wednesday, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry responded that it had “dismissed” Japan’s “unfair claim” through diplomatic channels. It further reiterated its own sovereignty of the islands — stating they are sovereign Korean territory “historically, geographically and under international law”.
Historical Dispute
Officially called the Dokdo (meaning solitary) Islands by Seoul, the islands are at the centre of a diplomatic dispute between South Korea and Japan that goes back more than three centuries.
They are located in the middle of the Sea of Japan and are almost equidistant between the two countries. Simultaneously, Japan also claims sovereignty over the rocks, which they call Takeshima Islands (meaning “Bamboo Island”).
South Korea believes that the Dokdo Islands were recognized by Japan as part of Korean territory in 1696, following a dispute between Japanese and Korean fishermen.
However, in 1905, the islands, despite being under the formal jurisdiction of Korea’s Uldo county, were annexed by Japan. This was followed by Japan’s occupation of the Korean peninsula, which lasted until 1945.
According to Seoul, the islands were “rightly” restored to them at the end of World War II. Japan has disagreed with this narrative and claims that the territory was “illegally seized.” Consequently, Japan continues to include the Takeshima Islands under its own territory.
Japan Lodges Protest Against South Korea Party Visit to Disputed Dokdo/Takeshima Islands
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry responded that it had “dismissed” Japan’s “unfair claim” through diplomatic channels.
May 4, 2023
IMAGE SOURCE: SANKEIDokdo/Takeshima Islands in the Sea of Japan.