The Japanese government claimed Dokdo as its territory in the '2025 Diplomatic Bluebook' announced on the 8th, reiterating its existing position. In response, our government strongly protested and urged an immediate retraction.

Democratic Party's Kim Yong-man speaks at a press conference condemning the distortion of Japanese high school history textbooks held in front of the Japanese Embassy in Jongno, Seoul, on Oct. 31. /Courtesy of Yonhap News Agency

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed strong protest through a spokesperson's comment on the same day, stating, 'We strongly protest Japan's unjust claims of sovereignty over Dokdo, which is clearly our inherent territory in historical, geographic, and international law, and urge an immediate retraction.'

They emphasized, 'The government reiterates that it will respond decisively to any provocation by Japan regarding Dokdo in the future.'

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Japanese government specified Dokdo as its territory in the 2025 edition of the Diplomatic Bluebook reported at the Cabinet meeting (State Council) on the same day. This is a direct repetition of last year's claims in the Diplomatic Bluebook.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to summon Daisuke Miba, the Minister in Charge of the Japanese Embassy in South Korea, to the Government Seoul Office to convey its official protest.