Children on Oct. 24, 2025, the day before Dokdo Day, watch a live video feed of Dokdo Island at Dokdo Permanent Exhibition Hall of Gwanghwamun Station in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. The designation of Dokdo Day (Oct. 25) sought to reaffirm the national commitment to protecting the island and promote awareness at home and abroad that Dokdo is Korean territory. (Korea.net DB)

By Hong Angie

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lodged a strong protest against Japan for describing Dokdo Island as Japanese territory on Aug. 4 in the white paper "Defense of Japan 2026," demanding an immediate retraction.

The ministry said in a spokesperson's commentary, "The government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) strongly protests against the Japanese government's repeated inclusion of unjust sovereignty claims over Dokdo, which is clearly an integral part of the ROK territory historically, geographically and under international law in the 'Defense of Japan 2026' released on August 4, 2026."

"The ROK government will continue to respond firmly to any of Japan's provocations over Dokdo."

The ministry summoned Kazuo Chujo, deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, to lodge the protest.

The Ministry of National Defense also summoned Taekshi Nagayoshi, Japan's defense attache in Seoul, through Kim Hak-jo, director general for international policy, demanding that Japan correct and cease what the ministry called "unjust claims."

First published in 1970, the white paper began mentioning Dokdo in 1978 and has since described the island as Japanese territory for 22 consecutive years.

shong9412@korea.kr