Japan Again Claims "Dokdo Is Japanese Territory" in Diplomatic Bluebook... Foreign Ministry Summons Chargé d'Affaires

Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
"Has No Impact on Our Sovereignty"
Urges Immediate Withdrawal

After Japan once again asserted in this year's Diplomatic Bluebook that "Dokdo is Japan's inherent territory," the Korean government summoned the Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of Japan in Korea to lodge a strong protest.

The day after Japan released the 2026 Diplomatic Bluebook claiming Dokdo as Japan's inherent territory, Hirotaka Matsuo, Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of Japan in Korea, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 10th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the 10th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a spokesperson's statement, saying, "We strongly protest that the Japanese government has repeated its unjust territorial claims over Dokdo, which is clearly our own territory historically, geographically, and under international law, in the Diplomatic Bluebook," and urged Japan to immediately withdraw these claims.

The ministry further emphasized, "We once again make it clear that the Japanese government's unjust claims have no impact whatsoever on our sovereignty over Dokdo, which is the inherent territory of the Republic of Korea," adding, "We will respond firmly to any provocation by Japan regarding Dokdo."

Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Hirotaka Matsuo, Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of Japan in Korea, to the ministry building to convey its protest.

According to the Asahi Shimbun and other sources, on this day, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi reported the 2026 edition of the Diplomatic Bluebook at a Cabinet meeting, which included the claim that "Takeshima (the name Japan uses for Dokdo) is Japan's inherent territory, both in terms of historical facts and under international law."

Foreign Minister Motegi also made the same claim in his annual diplomatic speech in February. This marks the 13th consecutive year that the foreign minister has made such a claim in the annual diplomatic speech.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.