Seoul: The foreign ministry expressed a "strong protest" against Japan's territorial claim to South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo in its latest foreign policy paper, calling for an immediate withdrawal. Releasing this year's Diplomatic Bluebook earlier in the day, the Japanese government once again renewed its claim to the South Korea-controlled islets, as it did the previous year.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the South Korean foreign ministry issued a statement firmly rejecting Japan's assertion. "We strongly protest against the repetition of the unjust territorial claim to Dokdo, which is clearly our territory based on history, geography and international law," the statement declared. The ministry urged Japan to withdraw its claim immediately.
The South Korean government also promised to respond decisively to "any kinds of provocations by Japan" regarding Dokdo. In a display of diplomatic opposition, the ministry summoned Taisuke Mibae, minister at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, to officially lodge a protest.
Mibae, maintaining a stern demeanor, entered the foreign ministry's headquarters in central Seoul, declining to answer questions from reporters concerning the potential impact of the territorial claim on South Korea-Japan relations and other related issues.