By Kim Young Shin

The Korean government strongly condemned the Japanese government on May 15 for its "Diplomatic Bluebook 2018" that includes unjust sovereignty claims over Dokdo Island in the East Sea, and it urged Tokyo to immediately withdraw such false claims.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Noh Kyu-duk released a commentary on May 15, saying that, “The Japanese government should be aware that repeatedly making unjust claims over Dokdo Island is in no way conducive to efforts to establish a future-oriented relationship between Korea and Japan. The Korean government will respond sternly to any provocations by Japan over Dokdo Island.”

“The Korean government makes it clear once again that the Japanese government’s futile claims over Dokdo Island cannot have any impact on Korea’s sovereignty over Dokdo Island, which is clearly an integral part of Korea’s territory in terms of history, geography and international law,” the statement said.

Japan’s "Diplomatic Bluebook 2018," put out by the Japanese foreign ministry, in addition to its incorrect claim to Dokdo Island, also included a new claim regarding the East Sea in general, saying that, “The 'Sea of Japan' is the only internationally established title for the water.” It also removed the phrase that said that, “Korea is Japan’s most important neighbor that shares strategic interests with Japan,” which was in last year’s edition of the book.

Please visit the link below to learn more about Dokdo Island in the East Sea:
http://dokdo.mofa.go.kr/eng/

ysk1111@korea.kr