On Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry of South Korea issued a statement condemning the statements made by Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi during his foreign policy speech at the 201st session of the Japanese Diet. Motegi made controversial remarks regarding the disputed territory of Dokdo, which South Korea claims is “an integral part of the Korean territory in terms of history, geography and international law”.
In his speech, Motegi said, “Takeshima is an inherent part of the territory of Japan both in light of historical facts and based on international law. Japan will deal with the issue in a calm yet resolute manner based on this consistent position.”
Countering this, the statement released by Korea said that it “sternly demands an immediate withdrawal of the claims” and further said that Tokyo must “immediately stop futile attempts over Dokdo” for the development of Japan-Korea relations in the future.
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 refer to as 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, it continues to include the Takeshima Islands under its own territory.
To add fuel to the fire, nine navigational aeronautical charts made by the United States (US) government between 1955 and 1997 showing the islands to be part of Japanese territory were released at a news conference held in December in Matsue, the capital of the Shimane prefecture. The disclosure was made by the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), a Tokyo-based incorporated foundation that engages in research activities on territorial issues.
Against the backdrop of the recent war of words, there is little hope that the dispute, which has been ongoing for the last 300 years, will be resolved any time soon.
South Korea Lodges Complaint Against Japanese FM’s Comments on Disputed Dokdo Territory
The Foreign Ministry of South Korea has “strongly” protested against the Japanese Foreign Minister’s “unjust claims” regarding the disputed territory of Dokdo and has demanded withdrawal of the claim.
January 20, 2021
SOURCE: REUTERS