Seoul Condemns Japanese Ceremony Over Contested Island Territory

South Korea formally objected to Japan's commemoration of disputed islands controlled by Seoul. The foreign ministry called the ceremony an illegitimate claim to Korean territory and summoned a Japanese diplomat in protest.

South Korea’s government issued a formal condemnation Sunday following Japan’s ceremonial observance of contested islands that remain under Seoul’s control, denouncing the event as an improper territorial claim.

The foreign ministry released a statement expressing strong opposition to the Takeshima Day ceremony conducted by Japan’s Shimane prefecture, particularly criticizing the participation of a high-ranking Japanese government representative. Officials demanded Japan cease holding the annual commemoration.

These small islands, called Takeshima by Japan and Dokdo by South Korea, have remained a persistent flashpoint between the neighboring nations. The territorial dispute adds to ongoing tensions stemming from Japan’s occupation of Korea between 1910 and 1945.

“Dokdo is clearly South Korea’s sovereign territory historically, geographically and under international law,” the ministry declared, urging Japan to abandon what officials characterized as baseless territorial assertions and confront historical realities with humility.

South Korean officials summoned a senior Japanese diplomatic representative to the foreign ministry headquarters in Seoul to formally register their objection.

Japan’s foreign ministry had no personnel available for comment Sunday, and calls to the Prime Minister’s Office received no response. Tokyo dispatched a Cabinet Office vice-minister rather than a full cabinet member to attend the ceremony.

This marks the latest in Seoul’s ongoing opposition to Japanese territorial assertions regarding the islands, following Friday’s protest over remarks made by Japan’s foreign minister during parliamentary proceedings claiming Tokyo’s sovereignty over the territory.

The disputed area encompasses valuable fishing waters and potentially sits above substantial natural gas hydrate reserves that Seoul estimates could be worth billions of dollars.